Xi'an, capital city of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, is pursing high-quality development, both through the construction of a national central city and by holding the 14th National Games.

Xi'an accelerates the construction of a national central city. [Photo/xiancn.com]

Advanced manufacturing industry drives Xi'an's industrial economy

In the first half of the year, the city has successively formulated specific measures to accelerate the construction of an advanced manufacturing strong city, and cultivated plans for eight major industrial clusters.

From January to May, the total output value of Xi'an's industrial enterprises above a designated size - those with an annual sales revenue surpassing 20 million yuan ($2.8 million) - increased by 2.6 percent.

At present, Xi'an is sorting out the 25 industrial chains of its advanced manufacturing system, formulating innovation chains and laying out industrial chains in order to improve service chains and ensure capital chains.

Aerospace industry in rapid development

"We are investing in research and development and plan to launch the 'Silk Road Satellite' next year. In the next five to eight years, we will launch more than 300 satellites to build the 'Silk Road' series of commercial satellite constellations," said a staff member of Xi'an Yanliang National Aviation High-tech Industrial Base.

Focusing on new energy vehicles and aviation manufacturing, Xi'an aims to build a strong hub for advanced manufacturing. [Photo/xiancn.com]

More than 30 commercial aerospace enterprises have gathered in the industrial base, from sectors covering the entire industrial chain link such as rocket development and commercial satellite systems, satellite measurement and operation control management, and commercial satellite applications.

The aerospace industry is listed as the pillar industry of Xi'an. A series of supporting policies will promote Xi'an's commercial aerospace sector to a higher and deeper level.

Infrastructure investment accelerates industrial upgrading

Since the beginning of this year, a large number of new types of infrastructure projects have started construction, covering fields including 5G networks, the internet of things, artificial intelligence and smart energy.

This year, among the 453 municipal key projects, 97 are new infrastructure projects, with a total investment of 516.6 billion yuan and an annual planned investment of 79.5 billion yuan.

The accelerated advancement of the new types of infrastructure will effectively promote the industrial upgrading of Xi'an, and promote entrepreneurship and employment.

Online economy helps consumer market pick up

Between January and May this year, the city's retail sales of products through the internet reached 20.12 billion yuan, an increase of 33.6 percent.

Xi'an's related commercial departments have specially formulated work plans to boost the consumer market.

Throughout the year, 40 typical promotional activities in seven areas will be organized to stimulate consumption in the city.

International trade channels accelerate construction

In the first half of this year, Xi'an opened four all-cargo routes, bringing the total number to 31, including 16 domestic and 15 international routes, which reach 11 countries round the world and 30 major hub cities such as Nanjing, Guangzhou and Hangzhou.

The powerful transportation hub facilitates the flow of people while providing logistics transportation with lower costs and more flexible options.

Preparation for 14th National Games makes progress

After completion, the Xi'an Olympic Sports Center, a venue of the 14th National Games, will become the largest sports center in Northwest China.

An aerial view of Xi'an Olympic Sports Center. [Photo/xiancn.com]

It will also form five industry clusters in the surrounding areas: sports health, Silk Road business, leisure business, cultural creativity, and ecological habitat.

In addition, Xi'an has accelerated the construction of major infrastructure projects and improvements to urban greening and beautification, as well as optimizing green transportation, in order to welcome the 14th National Games.