By Wang Xu (Shanghai Start)
Updated: 2007-09-07 06:23

Dalian, the host city of the Summer Davos, is stepping up efforts to build itself into a "new champion" metropolis, a senior city official said during the ongoing three-day event.

"The host ing of Summer Davos has helped Dalian to step onto the international stage," Xia Deren, Dalian's mayor, said.

"In the coming years, we will strive to achieve harmonious growth and further integrate into the world economy."

Dalian's economy has maintained rapid growth over the years thanks to the city's efforts to embrace and foster its modern service sectors and hi-tech industries.

In the coming years, Dalian will speed up the development of the city's shipping industry and turn the city into an international shipping hub in Northeast Asia, Xia said.

The city's port currently has commercial connections with more than 300 ports in about 160 countries and regions. Statistics show that at least 70 percent of ocean shipments and 90 percent of overseas container transportation in Northeast China was shipped through Dalian port.

By 2010, the city port's annual cargo turnover is slated to rise to 20 million tons, while its container handling capacity is projected to reach 8 million TEUs (twenty-feet equivalent units), becoming one of the top five ports in China.

"We will further encourage the development of hi-tech sectors like integrated circuit and software development, a new dynamic force in the city's economy," Xia said.

Dalian is now a major outsourcing base in China, attracting multinationals such as HP, Accenture and Dell to establish research and service centers there. Earlier this year, computer chip giant Intel Corp announced it would establish a chip manufacturing facility in the city, marking an historical breakthrough for the city's high-end manufacturing and hi-tech sectors.

"We will spare no efforts to attract and develop talents, which is critical to sharpen the city's competitive edge," Xia said.

"Moreover, we will strengthen the protection of intellectual property and enhance environmental protection measures and further improve the living standards of local people to build a harmonious society," he added.

(Shanghai Start 09/07/2007 page2)