The 8th meeting of the East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress, where representatives of local and regional governments in East Asia report on their actual situations and challenges and discuss common problems toward solutions, was held in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China, for the first time away from Nara Prefecture that hosted all the previous meetings.
Overview
- Time and date: Wednesday, May 10 – Thursday, May 11, 2017
- Place: Century City New International Convention Center in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, etc.
- Organizer: Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China
- Participating member governments: 31 local and regional governments of 6 nations (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan)
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China (8)
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Henan Province, Shaanxi Province, Gansu Province, Chengdu City, Xi'an City, Yangzhou City, Suzhou City, Linyi City
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Indonesia (1)
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Province of West Java
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Malaysia (1)
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Melaka State
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South Korea (3)
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Gyeonggi-do Province, Chungcheongnam-do Province, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province
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Viet Nam (4)
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Phu Tho Province, Thua Thien Hue Province, Viet Tri City,
Hue City
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Japan (14)
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Fukushima Prefecture, Fukui Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, Tottori Prefecture, Shimane Prefecture, Kagawa Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, Niigata City, Kofu City,
Tenri City, Kashihara City, Ikaruga Town, Asuka Village
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Program
< May 10 >
Field visit I (Chengdu Planning Exhibition Hall)
Comprehensive exhibition hall to exhibit Chengdu’s urban development history and future urban planning
Field visit II (Chengdu Science City)
Science park made of six industrial parks in scientific research, biological medicine, international cooperation, etc.
Welcome Reception
< May 11 >
Field visit III (Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding)
Ex-situ conservation base with research institution and technology for giant panda breeding, scientific research, and public education
The 8th East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress (Discussion)
(1) Opening Remarks
Shogo Arai (Governor of Nara Prefecture) * representing the secretariat
“The Congress, which was started by Nara Prefecture’s call, is now held in Chengdu City, for the first time outside Nara Prefecture. I am so delighted to see the development of the Congress in a new stage. We will continue striving to make it even more meaningful and fruitful.”
Yuan Mindao (Director General, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Secretary General of China-Japan Friendship Association)
“East Asia is one of the regions with high growth potentials in the world. I believe the Congress will produce win-win results.”
Luo Qiang (Mayor of Chengdu) * representing the organizer
“The Congress has increased membership and international influence since 2010, becoming an important platform of interaction and cooperation.”
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Shogo Arai
(Governor of Nara Prefecture) |
Yuan Mindao
(Director General, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries) |
Luo Qiang
(Mayor of Chengdu)
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(2) Keynote Speeches
The following three speakers delivered keynote speeches.
- “Policy Innovation and Regional Development”
Huo Weidong (Dean of School of Economic Information Engineering, SWUFE)
- “Creation and Innovation in Tourism Policies – Leadership, Sustainability, Systematicness”
Yoshiaki Honpo (Representative of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Japan)
- “Promote Phu Tho Provincial Uniqueness in Tourism Development”
Ha Ke San (Vice Chairman of Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee)
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Huo Weidong
(Dean of School of Economic Information Engineering, SWUFE) |
Yoshiaki Honpo
Representative of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Japan |
Ha Ke San
(Vice Chairman of Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee) |
(3) Discussions
There were three topics to be discussed: “Policy Innovation for Tourism Promotion”, “Policy Innovation for Industries and Talents”, and “Policy Innovation for Urban and Rural Construction”. Member governments presented their initiatives on the topic. Joined by experts, extensive and active discussions were held to find ways to solve administrative challenges.
[Topics and Experts]
Main theme: Policy Innovation and Regional Development
- Topic 1: “Policy Innovation for Tourism Promotion”
Expert: Satoshi Iwamura (Former Vice-Minister of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan)
Zhu Dan (Dean of Tourism and MICE Research Institute of Chengdu University)
- Topic 2: “Policy Innovation for Industries and Talents”
Expert: Zhu Xiaoning (Director of Higher Education Research Institute of UESTC)
- Topic 3: “Policy Innovation for Urban and Rural Construction”
Expert: Xie Yuanlu (Phd., Professor of School of History and Tourism of Sichuan Normal University)
(4) Media Interview
・Media reporters asked questions to each local government.
(5) Exclusive Interview with Governor of Nara Prefecture
(6) Networking Dinner
* Some participants also took part in other events on “Innovation” (the opening ceremony of “2017 China Chengdu Global Innovation Entrepreneurship Fair” and “Innovation Forum for Mayors of International Sister Cities of Chengdu”).