Foreign diplomats speak on Southwest China's development

Diplomats from Southwest China see the development of economic power in the region, looking to more foreign investment and cooperation opportunities.

Representatives from consulates general from Chengdu and Chongqing attended the openings of the Chongqing People's Congress and the Chongqing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference during the weekend, and expressed opinions on potential opportunities to reinforce such cooperation.

Neov Sinoeun, consul for the royal Cambodia consulate general in Chongqing

Chongqing government provides a favorable economic environment for Cambodian companies to invest in.

The cooperation between Chongqing and Cambodia is promising.

Both Chongqing and Cambodia benefit from the development of the free trade zone between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries.

I highly suggest companies from Chongqing invest in industry, agriculture, tourism and other related industries in Cambodia.

China and Cambodia have seen a compelling need to expand cooperation, especially from Chongqing municipality and Sichuan province.

Sergio Maffettone, consul general of Italy in Chongqing

Chongqing and Chengdu present both exceptional conditions for foreign investors and exercise the same attraction for Italian companies. In the coming months, I will go around the southwestern area of China to discover all the cooperation possibilities between Italian and Chinese companies.

Chongqing since 1997 has been at the center of the attention of the central government of China as a pilot city to lead the development of the Western part of China.

In 14 years, tremendous efforts have been achieved and now Chongqing is heading fast toward joining the first-tier cities of China. The rate of development achieved in 2013 further exceeds the national average.

Still affordable labor cost levels and increasing reliability of work force are among the attractive factors for Italian investors. The railway connecting Chongqing directly to Europe will further attract investors. I hope that Chongqing investors will also come to Italy, which has prepared a package of measures to facilitate foreign companies.

Italy has identified four main areas of cooperation with China: urbanization, health and welfare, agriculture and food, and environment. All these points are part of the plans of the government of Chongqing as we have heard in these two days of the Chongqing People's Congress and the Chongqing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Therefore I foresee a season of increasing cooperation on economic field between Italian and Chongqing companies.

Chung Man-young, consul general of the Republic of Korea in Chengdu

South Korean companies will gain new vigor from investments in western cities, such as Chongqing, Sichuan and Xi'an.

It's now the west region's turn in China's economy. Chongqing and Chengdu both play increasingly vital roles in the West Development Campaign with a brilliant future.

Chengdu and Chongqing have been highly valued by the South Korean government and companies in recent years.

Several big companies have already established their brand factories in Chongqing and Sichuan, including SK, Hankook Tire, Hyundai Motor, LG, Samsung Electronics and CJ Group.

I've heard that Hyundai Motor decided to establish its fourth factory in Chongqing. But I have to double-check the accuracy of that news.

Hyundai Motor created a commercial vehicle joint venture in Ziyang, Sichuan province, two years ago.

The potential market in Chongqing is huge, and Chongqing provides a low price for labor, energy and other infrastructure costs.

However, for a new South Korean company to invest in western cities, both Chongqing and Chengdu are highly recommended.

This will depend on the particular facts of each case.

Saifuddin Junejo, acting consul general of Pakistan in Chengdu

I've attended these meetings since 2010. The consulate-general covers Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and Chongqing.

The southwestern region of China is a fast-developing area. Central government pays great attention to this area. That is the reason Pakistan set up the consulate general in Chengdu in 2007.

Pakistan currently cooperates with Sichuan and Yunnan more than Guizhou and Chongqing in this area. Big companies from Sichuan help on mega-projects in Pakistan, including power projects.

In addition, companies from Yunnan and Sichuan work with Pakistan to build new cities.

Pakistan distributes some investment in Chongqing, but values the maintenance of its trade relation with Chongqing. Chongqing has a mature motorcycle industry, which is needed in Pakistan. In addition, the automobile sectors in Chongqing look for more cooperation with Pakistan.

The current economic cooperation between Pakistan and the southwestern region is still focused in Chengdu. However, Chongqing and Pakistan have many potential cooperation opportunities. The cooperation with Chongqing also depends on the Chongqing authorities.

It's also the responsibility of Chongqing to reach out to seek investment or cooperation opportunities with other countries.

Nancy Gordon, Australian consul general in Chengdu

The number of Australian companies trading with, and investing in, West China has dramatically increased since China launched the “Go West” strategy in 2000. This intensified after 2009, growing to include iconic Australian companies such as ANZ Bank, Goodman and Futuris.

Alongside other initiatives, such as the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone, the Yangtze River Economic Belt and Chongqing Liangjiang New Area, the national “Go West” strategy is helping to drive the development of Chongqing. Some industries have moved their operations from East China to the West in recent years, and this has led to opportunities. Australian companies are keen to further engage with Chongqing. We established a consulate general in Chengdu in 2013, a sign of the importance we place on building our relationship with Chongqing and the region.

Chengdu and Chongqing are only 300 kilometers apart, but they both have their own distinctive characteristics. The cities, comprising the “two poles” within Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone, are complementary. Chongqing enjoys more preferential policies for foreign-invested enterprises and better access to the water transport and bonded area. Chengdu has a stronger research and production base in some areas, such as electronics, while Chongqing is strong in the automotive and motorcycle industries.

I think both cities have a lot to offer the foreign investor — they have a warm and welcoming attitude to foreign businesses, a range of preferential policies, low labor costs, and a good talent pool.

Tan Yingzi and Deng Rui contributed to the story.