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

CT: As Mayor of Hangzhou, what aspects of the city do you think we should focus on when we introduce the city to Southeast Asia? 

Zhang: First is Hangzhou’s long history. As one of the seven ancient capitals of China, Hangzhou was among the first batch of National Historical and Cutural Cities to be announced by the State Council. As the cradle of the Kuahuqiao Civilization of 8,000 years ago, of the Liangzhu Civilization of 5,000 years ago, capital of the Wuyue State (907-978), and of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), Hangzhou harbors two world cultural heritages — the West Lake and Grand Canal. There are 27 historical blocks, like Qinghe Lane, Southern Song Imperial Street, and West Gongchenqiao, all of which are redolent of the cultural aroma of Chinese civilization, and present its unique glamor. 

Second is Hangzhou’s beautiful scenery. Ecological environment is Hangzhou’s most charming and competitive advantage. And its poetic scenery and perfect harmony of mountains and waters give Hangzhou its distinct charm and wonder. 

Third is Hangzhou’s favorable entrepreneurial environment. As a city of innovative spirit, Hangzhou has incubated many world famous enterprises like Alibaba, Wanxiang, Wahaha, and HIK Vision, and many excellent businessmen like Jack Ma, Lu Guanqiu and Zong Qinghou. Hangzhou welcomes friends from China and abroad, especially from Southeast Asia, to invest and start business in Hangzhou with open arms. 

Fourth is Hangzhou’s rich tourism products. After the summit, Hangzhou launched a series of products, tourism lines, and scenes with Hangzhou characteristics and rich cultural deposits, so carving out an epoch, for example, the G20 main venue experience trip, G20 performance trip, and Hangzhou light shows. In the meantime, Hangzhou combines the summit with classic Hangzhou factors, promoting tourism products such as Heavenly umbrellas, West Lake Longjing Tea, Hangzhou silk, Wangxing fans, and traditional handicrafts. In addition, by making optimum use of the publicity afforded by the summit, Hangzhou greatly improved its popularity as a host for international conferences.