Post-G20: Hangzhou Builds Stronger Ties with Southeast Asia – An Interview with Mayor of Hangzhou Zhang Hongming

The G20 Summit was successfully held in Hangzhou in September 2016, so sharing with the world the splendor of this Chinese city with thousands of years of history, and showing people of the world the extent of China’s prosperity and development. To make optimum use of the G20 Summit in this respect, the Hangzhou Tourism Commission, the Hangzhou Culture, Radio and Television Group, and China Today magazine decided to carry out a series of interviews, starting last December, covering a six-month period, titled, “Recall Hangzhou, Feel China.” They consist of conversations with influential figures in commerce, politics, and tourism from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia who tell of the impressions they gained of Hangzhou during the G20 Summit. The interviews will later be compiled into a series of talk shows called “Recall Hangzhou” and broadcast in those countries to convey Hangzhou’s charm and promote the city’s tourism.

Zhang Hongming, Mayor of Hangzhou 

Before the series started, our reporter interviewed Mayor of Hangzhou Zhang Hongming about the impacts on Hangzhou of the G20 Summit, and the opportunities and challenges it has since brought the city. 

China Today (CT): What changes did the G20 Summit bring to Hangzhou? 

Zhang Hongming: It put Hangzhou at the forefront of the world stage and presented to guests from China and abroad the unique charm of this city. The G20 Summit opened the gate for Hangzhou to the world, and so heightened its popularity and reputation. Major media began to notice Hangzhou due to the summit, and the city’s international image changed from that of “a city 176 miles from Shanghai” to “G20 Summit host city.” 

The impact of the G20 Summit can be divided into three major aspects: First it elevated Hangzhou’s international level. Hangzhou implemented 605 programs in six areas to upgrade existing venues, thus better serving the summit. It also quickened construction of such infrastructure as airport, subways, and roads, so greatly improving the city’s transportation. Hangzhou also enhanced environmental management, having refurbished the West Lake area, expedited a project called “light the city,” and improved air quality. During the summit, political leaders of the G20 countries, Fortune Global 500 companies, and internationally known media gathered in Hangzhou. This improved the international community’s understanding of the city, enabling it to better integrate with the world. Over the first three seasons of 2016 Hangzhou attracted 108.84 million tourists – 14.37 percent more than 2015, including 106.16 million domestic tourists and 2.68 million foreign tourists. Tourism has generated revenues of RMB 181.54 billion – an increase of 16.17 percent year-on-year.