A dialogue between Chengdu, Xi'an on opening inland cities (8)

C: We have entered a time of city marketing, which is particularly important for an open one. On the eve of London 2012, 108 "pandas" (people under panda cloak) landed from air on London streets and warmly hugged passers-by. This widely concerned activity, together with previous "panda taxies in London" and Chengdu elements in Kongfu Panda II and others are all successful examples of city marketing.

X: Xi'an also pays great attention to image building. We make use of the Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China, Euro-Asia Economic Forum, World Horticultural Exposition and dozens of business fairs held in Europe, the US, Japan, the ROK, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and also more than a hundred business talks in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Dalian to promote the city, boosting the city image and reaching agreements on a large batch of projects.

C: Influence is productivity. Through exhibitions and fairs we promote our city, drive the economy and spread culture. We hold such events with an eye on the industries, such as the global auto forum and new energy expo. Today we no longer care about the number of visitors. Rather, we focus on professional visitors, the real benefits to producers and marketing agents and the level of specialization.

X: We need innovative modes for opening up. The construction of Xi'an International Logistics and Trade Park (XILTP) is our experiment in opening inland cities. Relying on three core projects-Xi'an Comprehensive Bonded Area, Xi'an Railway Container Terminal and Xi'an Railway Habour- we have built an international port service platform, which reduces transfers in import/export and speeds up customs clearance through seamless coordination with coastal and border ports. As a result Xian, together with its surrounding areas, has been transformed from an inland city to a "coastal" one, with significantly boosted environment for foreign trade and investment. "What we have, coastal cities may not have; but what they have, now we also have!"

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