Nanchang: Shifting to a Low-carbon Economy

By HAN LI

A green future for Nanchang.

SUMMERS in Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi, are quite agreeable thanks to the high forest coverage there. In advance of the Fifth Central China Expo, to be hosted by the city in September, Nanchang went all out on a greening campaign: "Forest City, Garden Nanchang."

Located in central China, Jiangxi is the only province sharing borders with the three most vibrant economic areas of China – the Yangtze River Delta on the east, the Pearl River Delta on the south and the West Bank of the Taiwan Strait on the southeast. Alive to its geographic advantages, the Nanchang government knows that the city would always be playing catch-up if it simply took the traditional approach to urban development. Rather than relying on resources and break-neck growth, Nanchang should exploit its ecological, environmental and geographic strengths to realize long-term and sustainable development. It is determined to be a pioneer in low-carbon transformation.

In recent years, Nanchang has resolutely promoted a low-carbon economy, based on new energy sources, new materials and new technologies. It has developed three key low-carbon industries – solar energy, LED and service outsourcing – and six industrial clusters – electric cars, green home appliances, environmental protection equipment, new building materials, civil aviation and eco-agriculture.

Technology innovation has become the main route to a low-carbon economy. In November 2009, Nanchang held the First World Low-carbon and Eco-Economy Conference and Technology Expo. The Poyang Lake Eco-Economic Zone centered on Nanchang was announced as part of China’s national development strategy a month later. In 2010, Nanchang was designated as a trial city of the country’s low-carbon economy, soon followed by the founding of the Jiangxi Province Low-carbon Economy Research Center. Nanchang, traditionally a second-tier city, is now a frontrunner and pilot city for China’s emerging green economy.

Today eco-agriculture, low-carbon industrial projects and modern service industries are booming in Nanchang, as exemplified by the fast development of the Poyang Lake Eco-Economic Zone.