Fully advancing the overall improvement of economic performance—New measures to stabilize growth as seen at local Two Sessions meetings

BEIJING, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) — Headline: Going All Out to Drive a Comprehensive Improvement in Economic Performance — New Measures for Stabilizing Growth Seen at Local Two Sessions

　　Xinhua News Agency reporter

　　Recently, local Two Sessions meetings have been held in quick succession. The setting of the 2023 economic growth target and the new measures adopted by various regions to stabilize growth have drawn widespread attention.

　　The Central Economic Work Conference emphasized that in 2023, the overarching principle will be to prioritize stability while seeking progress within that stability, with the goal of “promoting an overall improvement in economic performance.” During coverage of local two‑session meetings, reporters found that, in implementing the spirit of the conference, regions are working hard to foster steady and sound economic development, introducing a series of new measures across investment, consumption, exports, and innovation‑driven growth. Both inside and outside the venues, confidence is being conveyed, and vitality is surging.

　 　Seeking progress while maintaining stability to boost market confidence.

　　As a national economic hub, Shanghai is expected to post GDP growth of more than 5.5% in 2023. At the city’s Two Sessions, many deputies and committee members agreed that this target—achievable only through determined effort—will help refine the economic structure and mitigate risks as development progresses.

　　In 2023, Guangdong expects its regional gross domestic product to grow by more than 5%. According to Li Zhijian, a member of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Guangdong Asia-Pacific Institute for Innovative Economy, this target takes into account both Guangdong’s potential for advancing high-quality development and the current external environment as well as numerous practical constraints.

　　Heilongjiang Province expects its regional gross domestic product to grow by around 6% in 2023. “In the new year, we will continue to face formidable challenges, and there remains considerable room for improvement in key areas such as stabilizing market entities and attracting investment,” said Zhao Hongchen, a deputy to the Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Congress and the county magistrate of Bin County in Harbin.

　　In 2023, Chongqing’s GDP is expected to grow by more than 6%, with efforts underway to achieve even better results. “This will help send a positive signal and bolster market confidence,” said You Hongtao, a deputy to the Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress and chairman of Chongqing Huasen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

　　In 2023, Hunan Province has set a target of around 6.5% growth in its regional gross domestic product. For the same year, Shaanxi Province has set an expected GDP growth target of approximately 5.5%.

　　Li Xining, a deputy to the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Congress and Director of the Xi’an Municipal Development and Reform Commission, believes that the development targets and tasks for 2023 are both realistic and inspiring.

　 　Seeking progress while maintaining stability, with both domestic and external demand driving growth.

　　Standing at a new starting line, localities are firmly grasping the spirit of the Central Economic Work Conference, expanding domestic demand, boosting consumption, advancing key projects, and strengthening foreign trade—striving to make a solid first step and usher in a fresh outlook.

　　China’s domestic market is increasingly demonstrating its consumption potential. During the recent New Year’s Day holiday, Shanghai’s renowned commercial districts—such as the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, and Nanjing Road—once again saw long queues of shoppers, while Zhangyuan, a landmark of urban renewal, has been spotlighting first‑time launches, premieres, and flagship stores, drawing ever‑growing crowds.

　　“The Shanghai Municipal Government’s work report stated that in 2023, restoring and expanding consumption will be given top priority. During the Spring Festival, Zhangyuan will further enhance its festive commercial‑leisure atmosphere, injecting new momentum into consumer spending,” said Shi Yunlun, a deputy to the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress and Chairman of Shanghai Jing’an Real Estate (Group) Co., Ltd.

　　Xie Meng, a member of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of Guangzhou Zhengjia Technology Service Group Co., Ltd., also proposed that government and enterprises collaborate to jointly advance the development of a smart commercial‑district public service platform, create diverse, intelligent new scenarios, and pioneer innovative, experience‑driven shopping models, thereby providing consumers with convenient, comfortable, and diversified services.

　　Hunan has set a goal to achieve 10% growth in three key indicators in 2023: total import and export value, actual utilized foreign investment, and actually secured domestic investment. At the start of the new year, the factory premises of Weisheng Group Co., Ltd., located in Changsha High-tech Zone, are operating at full capacity, producing batch after batch of smart meters destined for Europe and South America. Lü Xinwei, a deputy to the Hunan Provincial People’s Congress and vice president of Weisheng Group, stated that in 2023 the company will continue to expand its domestic and international market share through technological innovation and by offering high-quality products.

　　In the new year, regions across the country are focusing on major projects to shoulder significant responsibilities. “Expanding investment and advancing key projects are effective measures for boosting domestic demand and stabilizing growth,” said Zhang Yiguang, a deputy to the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Congress and chairman of Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group. Shaanxi Province has announced that it will launch 640 provincial-level priority projects in 2023, with planned annual investment totaling 480.4 billion yuan, aiming to achieve around 8% growth in fixed-asset investment.

　 　Be pragmatic and take concrete actions to turn the “blueprint” into a “construction plan.”

　　At the local Two Sessions, “boosting confidence” has emerged as a shared key theme. Deputies and members of the CPPCC have pledged to redouble efforts to ensure effective implementation in the new year, working tirelessly to turn the “blueprint” into a concrete action plan.

　　Among the measures adopted across regions to ensure stable growth, unleashing the market’s intrinsic dynamism is a key component. Shanghai has pledged to rigorously implement policies designed to help businesses overcome difficulties and deliver tangible results, launching initiatives such as a series of actions to cut fees and ease burdens, as well as support programs to enhance the quality of small and medium-sized enterprises. “By using policy certainty to hedge against external uncertainties, these concrete measures demonstrate the government’s determination to revitalize the market and bolster businesses’ confidence in their development,” said Zhu Keding, a deputy to the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress and chairman of Shanghai Aineng Power Engineering Co., Ltd.

　　“Private enterprises, by seizing opportunities to grow and strengthen themselves, will serve as a key driver of Heilongjiang’s revitalization and development,” said Sui Xifeng, a deputy to the Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Congress and president of Beidacang Group Co., Ltd. She proposed stepping up efforts to nurture “little giant” firms, establishing a pool of “specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative” seed enterprises, and encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises to ramp up R&D and invest more in technological upgrading.

　　Chongqing has proposed building a series of innovation hubs, including the Western (Chongqing) Science City, at a high standard. Zhang Weiguo, a deputy to the Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress and president of Southwest University, sees both opportunities and challenges in this initiative. The university will focus on advancing organized research, striving for greater breakthroughs in establishing high‑level innovation platforms and strengthening efforts to master critical core technologies.

　　Focusing on high-quality development, Chen Huiqing, a deputy to the Hunan Provincial People’s Congress and Mayor of Zhuzhou, is turning his attention to the integrated development of urban and rural areas. “In 2023, we will vigorously advance the construction of the Changsha–Zhuzhou–Xiangtan metropolitan area, deepen regional cooperation along the Hunan–Jiangxi border, and build livable, smart, and resilient cities, thereby injecting new momentum into high-quality development.”

　　Li Xining stated that Xi’an will spare no effort in advancing key project construction and strengthening cooperation within the metropolitan area. By vigorously promoting projects and expanding investment, the city will provide robust support for maintaining stable economic growth in Shaanxi Province. (Reporters: Guo Jingdan, Zhou Ying, Liu Fangzhou, Yang Siqi, Zhou Wentao, Xu Zuhua)