G20 china_web

Spotlight on China
its various national museums – the China National Silk
Museum, the China National Tea Museum, the Museum
of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Huqingyutang), the
China National Museum of Seal Engraving Art, the
Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum – the list
goes on. Shortlisted by the New York Times in 2016 as
one of the “52 Places to Go”, Hangzhou is a popular
destination for more than three million international
visitors every year. To ensure visitors have easy access
to the unique charm of Hangzhou, more than 4,000
volunteers together with 96,020 for the newly launched
multi-language hotline will provide 14 language
services in English, Russian, Japanese, French, German
and Korean during the summit month.
Innovation for distinctive excellence
The theme of the G20 Hangzhou summit – “Towards an
Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive
World Economy” – says it all about Hangzhou as a
leader of vigorous innovation. The city is virtually
speeding along the rail of robust development driven
by innovation. More specifically, Hangzhou was
China’s first cross-boarder e-commerce pilot zone
in 2015. It is also a member of the UNESCO Creative
Cities Network (UCCN). It is at the forefront of nextgeneration
information technology, especially in the
areas of e-commerce, digital security, cloud computing
and big data. Hangzhou has given birth to legions of
world-famous Chinese companies. Among others, they
Zhang Hongming
Mayor of Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
Hangzhou is not only a
city renowned for history
and culture, but it is also a
leader in innovation. I trust
that the 2016 summit will
offer a unique experience of
history meeting modernity.
- Xi Jinping, President,
People’s Republic of China
are Alibaba, Wanxiang Group, Geely Automobile and
Hikvision. Hangzhou is also home to multinational
companies: 107 Fortune 500 companies operate here.
Recognised by the World Bank as having China’s
best investment environment, Hangzhou invested
about three per cent of its gross domestic product in
research and development in 2015. On average, 172
new companies and 22 patents are born on a daily
basis. Legions of passionate makers from all over the
world follow their dreams here, fuelling the city’s
innovative drive.
The world’s launch pad for a new future
The logo of the G20 Hangzhou Summit is a bridge
outlined by 20 curves, a metaphor that the G20 summit
is a bridge for global economic growth and international
cooperation; it is a bridge of win-win partnerships
leading us all to the future. Hangzhou as the host city
will witness and serve this greatest event in global
economic governance when world leaders gather here
to seek answers to global challenges. This role also
makes a broad bridge that makes it faster for Hangzhou
to go global. From this global perspective, we have set
in motion a long-term action plan, determined to build
Hangzhou into a world metropolis, which suggests
by 2050 Hangzhou is to become the most influential
‘internet plus’ hub of innovation and start-ups, a top
destination for meetings, incentive travel, conventions
and exhibitions, a leading capital of leisure and
tourism, and a mecca for international exchange in
oriental culture. It is fair to say that Hangzhou is making
big strides towards becoming a world-famous city that
beckons with its incomparable charm and excellence.
To quote Confucius, “is it not a delight to have
friends coming from afar?” We look forward to
meeting you beside the lovely West Lake. Either
for business or pleasure, you are welcome to visit
Hangzhou, to visit us! G20
G7G20.com September 2016 • G20 China: The Hangzhou Summit 73