Hangzhou kicks off countdown to G20

G20 Summit

In just 100 days, leaders of the G-20 countries will gather in Hangzhou in east China’s Zhejiang province, to discuss key issues facing the world. The summit will be the most important international event to take place in China this year.

CCTV’s Xing Zheming reports on the city’s preparations.

Hangzhou is busy making final preparations.

The city’s top Party official, Zhao Yide, said construction of all of the main venues and facilities has been completed.

“We hope by upgrading the city’s infrastructure we can provide a clean and nice environment for the summit. This will not only improve the city image, but also benefit the lives of locals,” Yide said.

During the two-day summit, leaders of G-20 countries, as well as important business leaders and international media will flood into Hangzhou, putting one of China’s greatest cities under a global spotlight.

Hangzhou is the capital city of one of China’s most economic and dynamic provinces — Zhejiang.

The local economy is booming. Hangzhou’s GDP growth rate hit 10.2 percent last year, way higher than the country’s annual GDP growth rate of 6.9 percent.

Hangzhou is globally renowned as a hub for e-commerce, a center for China’s dynamic private enterprises, and a key innovation center.

The city’s creative sector is also growing fast.

Hangzhou is also a key region for reform and innovation, two priorities high on the Chinese government’s agenda.