Binhai New Area Sets the Pace for Regional Development

Before the reform, in what is now Binhai it was commonplace for several institutions to perform the same administrative function. For example, there were seven public security bureaus, five industry and commerce administrations, six state tax offices, five local tax offices, six courts and five procuratorates.

With the establishment of the new area, problems brought by the old administrative system became even more striking. Plans couldn’t be implemented uniformly, industrial aggregation was difficult to achieve, its overall advantages couldn’t be brought into full play, and resource allocation couldn’t be optimized.

Since the reform officially kicked off in 2009, a series of measures have been introduced to increase efficiency and streamline its administrative institutions under a uniform administrative framework. Today, the focus of reform has been on the reduction of approval procedures, administrative efficiency, quality service and better government supervision. As it progresses, administrative reform is also becoming more systematic and comprehensive.

In fact, the reform of the administrative system is only one of 10 reforms in Binhai New Area. The other nine target land management, low-income housing, healthcare, financial innovation, urban-rural integration and social management.

The most notable reforms are those in the land management and financial sector. They amended land requisition, transaction and transfer policies to better protect farmers’ rights and integrate the rural and urban land markets. Binhai is also perfecting mechanisms concerning land reservation and development, and exploring farmland protection funds.

In the financial sector, the area encourages industry funds and private equity funds to expand their investment in it, promotes new types of financial services and platforms, and increases the number of venues for foreign exchange capital settlement. Binhai is also making progress in the use of RMB in international settlements and overseas investment.

While carrying out extensive reforms in economic areas, Binhai has also launched programs in areas including food and drug safety supervision, education, science and technology, culture and human resources.

In addition to its 10 reforms, Binhai has introduced 10 “Key Campaigns” to rearrange and optimize its industrial pattern, and foster new growth points.

With an overall investment of RMB 1.5 trillion, the 10 campaigns aim to build Binhai’s muscles in such industries as heavy chemistry, heavy machinery, textiles, logistics, shipping, conference & exhibition and tourism as well as finance, trade and culture. Meanwhile, efforts are made to build a good eco-industrial system that meets the highest international standards.

The 10 reforms of Binhai are helping it to make development breakthroughs and achieve industrial upgrading, while the 10 campaigns lift local development to new heights by going down to specific sectors.