Business Traveler, February 2015

36 n February 2015 Visit businesstravelerusa com n International Destinations to the city embarked on large affordable housing schemes and invested heavily in transport infrastructure vastly extending its capacity One Foot in the Past To the outside world Chongqing holds global significance not only for its growth and business opportunities but also for its unique place in modern history Situated in the middle of Asias longest river in 1891 it was the first port in central and southwest China to open to international trade A British consulate opened in Chongqing as far back as 1890 From 1937 to 1945 during the Sino Japanese war Chongqing became Chinas wartime capital The citys population swelled as Chinese people fled inland to escape the warfare that raged along the coastal region Residents took shelter in caves dug out of the mountain during air raids Locals say that the citys famously foggy weather protected the city from more frequent aerial attacks In addition the city was also used as a strategic hub for Allied forces to direct the international troops battling in various parts of Asia After the war Chongqing continued its transformation from a minor inland port to a heavily industrialized city and became one of the countrys foremost producers of military hardware All Roads Lead to Chongqing In the 21st century the city has used its historically strategic position at the heart of China to become a global hub of transport and trade The citys water transportation system has been vastly improved since the completion of the Three Gorges Reservoir in 2003 and more than 90 percent of products manufactured in Chongqing are transported via water The 6946 mile Europe to China Yuxinou railway which opened in 2012 and is dubbed the modern silk road after the route made famous by 13th century Venetian merchant Marco Polo can now transport products to western Europe in just 16 days a feat Marco Polo could only have imagined And Jiangbei International airport which already sees an annual turnover of 26 million passengers is planning a third runway All this plus the development of a city wide metro system which opened in 2005 and the building of 52000 miles of new roads has transformed Chongqings logistical capabilities Auto Magic In modern day Chongqing one third of the citys GDP comes from the production of cars and motorcycles The city is home to a staggering 382 large automobile and motorcycle companies which account for one in seven jobs Vehicle manufacturers have been attracted to Chongqing by the availability of low cost water transportation and the citys ready supply of workers This situation has been largely influenced by the opening of the Three Gorges Dam in 2003 located 186 miles downstream of Chongqing The completion of worlds largest hydropower plant improved both the ease and affordability of water transportation along the Yangtze river but caused the displacement of 14 million people many of whom needed new employment According to Professor Pu Yong Jian the investment of automobile giant Ford in Chongqing was strongly directed by central government Due to the need of resettlement of migrants caused by Three Gorges Program the central government gives strong support to Chongqings economic development so as to provide employment opportunities he explains Ford opened its third assembly plant in Chongqing last year and aims to build its largest ever factory in the city predicted to employ more than 25000 Looking to the future As rising labor and overhead costs have shifted modern manufacturers away from Chinas coastal cities towards inland Above Chongqing Railway Station Below Three Gorges Dam