Domestic and foreign experts share their insights on the emerging Changchun New Area.

"The overall plan for Changchun New Area combines the characteristics and advantages of Jilin province, and proposes some new  ideas such as being 'innovation driven'. The plan offers a comprehensive analysis of the new area’s leading industries.

Through cultivating major industries such as automobile, high-end equipment manufacturing, the photoelectric information and biomedical sectors, the new district can build its value chain, increase its core competitive power in the world, and solve many economic problems.

As an engine that can drive Jilin’s economic growth, Changchun New Area should look at the development of the whole province and the Northeast region, to form its leading industries and industrial chain. This can help the new area to realize its objectives such as building innovative economic development demonstration zones."

Li Guanghui, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing

"Changchun New Area’s overall plan is of a high standard, professional and comprehensive. It has a distinct inner logic and strong momentum. Innovation is crucial for the new area. The new district’s development will depend on innovation in industry, land use, technology and education. Opening-up is another key.

The crucial point of the related Changchun- Jilin-Tumen strategy is developing the Tumen River as a sea gate.

The new area, as an important node on the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, is not only a new area in Changchun, but also a supporting point for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is a pilot zone for carrying out cross-border industrial cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road."

Chen Wenling, chief economist at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges

"The model analysis on Changchun New Area’s plan shows the area has strong development potential. The location of the city’s aviation economic development zone is very good, and that promises a bright future."

Tim Stonor, internationally respected architect and urban planner, managing director of the strategic consulting firm Space Syntax Ltd, quoted by Changchun Daily

"Changchun New Area proposed a plan to develop an ecological city in China’s northern, cold regions. The plan, which has great operation possibility, is based on regional characteristics. The plan considered different factors including environment and energy utilization. It aims to lead green development in Changchun New Area and strengthen the area’s competitiveness in ecological construction in the world."

Jyri Nieminen, chief sustainability officer at Sweco Finland Ltd, quoted by Changchun Daily

"A smart city connects physical space and virtual space. On the one side, it is the earth – the physical space where we live in; on the other side is cyberspace. The development of cities requires us to connect the globe’s cities together through the use of information technology. The infrastructure construction in Changchun New Area pays attention to the development of a smart city. It highlights the building of highspeed information networks and information platforms, which will form a good foundation for building a smart city in the future."

Vicente Guallart, chief architect of Barcelona City Council 2011-15 with the responsibility of developing the strategic vision for the city, and chief scientist of International Smart City Lab, quoted by Changchun Daily