"The industrial system design in Changchun New Area is reasonable and supported by scientific research, especially in planning for the development of clusters such as automobile production, photoelectric information , high-end equipment manufacturing and biological medicines. In building service industry platforms, Changchun New Area takes Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai’s experiences as reference and follows the polices of free trade pilot zones. It is working to establish 81 industrial platforms to support international trade. The move will build a good business environment.

In addition, Changchun New Area is focused on innovation to establish an open, innovative industrial system. Innovation is not limited to new and high-tech industries, but also can benefit the development of traditional industries."

Liu Binglian, assistant to the president of Nankai University, and director of Nankai University’s College of Economic and Social Development

"Decades ago, we only believed in the power of reinforced concrete because it improved our living environment and created ideal homes. However, as time goes by, people found that our cities were incompatible with the environment. People started to consider better ways to build our homes during cities’ population expansion.

The fundamental infrastructure plan of Changchun New Area learned from Copenhagen’s experience in rainfall and flood management. It stresses building green fundamental infrastructure, using natural ways to store and purify rainfall.

The plan consists of environmental objectives in flood prevention and control. The use of digital sensors and internet communication also formed a good base for establishing a smart city. I think it is necessary to set up a rainfall and flood management and control system, and maintain environmental objectives in cities’ overall planning."

Stefan Bruckmann, Germany’s urban hydrology expert and ecosystem engineer

 "There are three key points that Changchun has taken into consideration during the development of its new area.

First, Changchun New Area aims to deepen its economic reforms and opening-up, thus to become an example of internationalization in the Northeast Asia region.

The new area will contribute to driving the economy and modernization of Changchun and Jilin ahead, and continuing to revive Northeast China.

Second, in the practice of economic reform and opening-up, the new area will spare no effort to be innovative and internationalized in order to attract more foreign investment and talents. The new area will also expand its service and financial information industries, as well as being pioneering with its free-trade experiment zone.

Last but not least, according to the plan, the new area will stick to the notion of a green economy. President Xi Jinping has said that the key of city planning is to preserve an area’s natural beauty. Therefore, the new area is advised to put its whole attention to protecting the environment. It will strengthen environmental governance and the prevention of air, soil and water pollution together with neighboring counties and districts."

Yao Shimou, an established professor, lecturer and doctoral supervisor in city planning based in Nanjing