New Hope Group Chairman Liu Yonghao delivered a speech at the Industrial Development Conference for National Central City, Chengdu held on Sunday.

Liu regarded Chengdu's efforts to build itself a national central city as "an opportunity once in a millennium". Liu believed that Chengdu has laid the economic and industrial foundation.

Speaking of Chengdu's strengths, Liu said that Sichuan province serves as a huge market with its large population. In addition, Chengdu has the advantage of a talent pool cultivated by its universities and colleges.

In fact, Chengdu has indeed obtained the groundings to become a national central city. Chengdu's economic aggregate ranks 1st among sub-provincial cities around China. In 2016, gross value of production in Chengdu amounted to about 1217 billion yuan (179.6 billion U.S. dollars), up 7.7% year on year in comparable prices; Chengdu's GDP took the 2nd place among all provincial capitals in China, following Guangzhou.

Liu advised that facing such opportunity, Chengdu should learn from Shenzhen and other cities to achieve better development. Good strategies, ideas and thoughts can promote better development. Chengdu should also introduce more talents and nurture local enterprises.

Liu said that the Conference drew the new plan for Chengdu's development and encouraged enterprises. He added that the Conference laid the foundation for future development of Chengdu.

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