Yuan Jiajun, governor of East China's Zhejiang province, revealed seven highlights of Zhejiang's social development to global media outlets at a panel discussion at the first session of the 13th National Congress on March 8.

The highlights consist of Zhejiang's major developmental achievements in recent years, including the "At Most One Visit" administrative reform, private economy, internet plus, green development, opening-up of ports, cultural soft power, and the coordinated development of urban and rural areas.

Yuan hailed these achievements as Zhejiang's seven "name cards" for the new era.

1. "At Most One Visit" administrative reform

Zhejiang province has improved itself by conducting reforms.

In December 2016, the provincial Party committee and the provincial government initiated the "At Most One Visit" reform, a thorough self-targeted revolution within government departments.

The essence of the reform is "three transformations and one sharing". The first transformation is conceptual, requiring government systems to stay true to their people-centered vision. The second puts emphasis on service-oriented government functions. The last is the integration of different government functions. The one sharing refers to data sharing, which will involve linking information islands.

The purposes of the administrative reform are to delegate power to lower-level governments, to implement targeted administration, and to provide more helpful public services to people and companies.

So far, the "At Most One Visit" reform has streamlined 87.9 percent of Zhejiang's services for individuals and businesses. The satisfaction rate among the people toward public services has reportedly reached 94.7 percent.

Zhejiang plans to continue conducting reforms and strives to decrease institutional costs. The province will use the administrative reforms as a way of promoting comprehensive reforms in economic and social development. It will boost the digital transformation of government agencies and provide new incentives for institutions to improve market effectiveness, government functions, and benefits for enterprises.

An official (right) at the streamlined Nanhu District Administrative Service Center assists a client through a multi-departmental application. [Photo/China Daily]

2. Private economy

The prosperous private sector is the crux of the Zhejiang economy. It contributes 56 percent of the province's total tax revenue, 58 percent of investment, 65 percent of GDP, 77 percent of exports, and 80 percent of employment.

A total of 5.93 million market entities are registered in Zhejiang, including 1.96 million companies.

Zhejiang has been aggressively advancing the development of its industries, and lifting the spirits of Zhejiang businesspeople to new heights. It has been encouraging entrepreneurs to start companies, small companies to expand production, and qualified companies to go public. The province also promotes the return of Zhejiang businesspeople, the development of countless industries, and the construction of characteristic towns.

Zhejiang strongly supports companies going public, as well as mergers and acquisitions (M&A). As of last year, 507 companies in Zhejiang had gone public, and the province is aiming for 1,000 by 2022. Famous companies like Geely, Wanxiang and Chint explored new ways of growing their businesses through overseas M&As.

3. Internet plus and S&T innovation

Zhejiang is prioritizing its digital economy and has worked hard to seize opportunities brought about by the new scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformations.

Last year, economic value added by new industries, new forms of industry, and new business models reached 1.25 trillion yuan, making up 37.1 percent of total economic growth.

The Hangzhou-based Alibaba Group is becoming a world-class company. In addition, the world's first internet court was established in Hangzhou, allowing trials, rulings and deliveries to be done online.

In the future, Zhejiang will increasingly look to innovation as the primary driving force of its economy, and implement new policies for talent recruitment. It will continue to make progress on "Made in China 2025" and internet plus. A series of unmanned factories and workshops are expected to appear in the province as well. Zhejiang will also begin placing more focus on the annual World Internet Conference, the development of traditional industries, the construction of demonstration zones for information economy and independent innovation, and the development of Zhejiang Lab.

Zhejiang is being built into a global center for internet plus through the creation of new incentives as well as a modern economic model.

4. Green development

Zhejiang has stuck firmly to the idea that "lucid waters and lush mountains are valuable assets" and moved forward with treating water, air, garbage and the environments of both rural and urban areas. It has been working hard to become a national demonstration province for clean energy as well.

Significant progress has been made in environmental protection, with improvements being made to the province's water, air and forests. There are no longer any "black and smelly" or "garbage" rivers in the province.

Zhejiang has been selected as the first demonstration region for "Beautiful China" due to its beautiful natural landscapes.

Ecological civilization will be an ever-present focus during the course of social development. Zhejiang plans to become one giant garden with scenic spots everywhere.