The Third Session of the 15th Municipal People’s Congress in Taicang opened on January 5. The government work report at the meeting summarized the work of the municipal government and provided guidance from the municipal government to the people.

According to the report, despite a tough market in 2013, Taicang maintained steady and healthy development; achieved historic progress in several indexes; and enhanced aspects of economy, urban and rural construction, and public welfare.

Economy

• Technological innovation ability was enhanced with the addition of three “national-honored” brands

• Government spending on R&D accounted for 2.52 percent of GDP

• The rate of the emerging industry in industrial enterprises above a designated size increased by 4 percent.

Last year, the transformation development of the city’s economy quickened. Its integrated economic strength grew unceasingly with an expected total industrial output value of 255.8 billion yuan ($42.3 billion), representing a growth rate of 5 percent. Emerging industries achieved an output value of 98.5 billion yuan, increasing 4 percent in proportion with industrial enterprises above a designated size. Tax and industrial profits of a certain size all increased by 30 percent. Total investment in the industry amounted to 25.1 billion yuan.

The development of the modern service industry made progress with an added value of 43.5 billion yuan, reaching 43.5 percent of GDP. The Taicang trading center of the Bohai Commodity Exchange was put into operation. Tourism income last year reached 4.2 billion yuan altogether at an increase of 9.6 percent.

High-efficiency agriculture made remarkable achievements. Food production increased successively for 10 years. High-standard farmland rose by 36,000 mu (2,400 hectares). Facility agriculture (fishery) covered an area of 8,000 mu and five factories for seed cultivation were built.

Innovation capabilities in Taicang continued to grow with total social spending on R&D accounting for 2.52 percent of GDP. Over 99 percent of large and medium-sized industrial enterprises have their own R&D institute.

"Two articles" were deepened. The development and construction of Taicang Port accelerated with the completion of the third phase container project and the opening of three berths. The effect of Taicang's integration with Shanghai was obvious. Regional linkage and sharing, and industrial linkup and transportation links, have been promoted with over 100 projects introduced.

Urban-rural integration

•Coordination of the development of urban and rural communities

•Farmer concentration living rate up to 63 percent

•Disposable income of collective economy per village reaches 6.75 million yuan

Overall urban planning has sped up, and overall urban and rural planning in port areas has roughly been completed. The Planning Exhibition Hall, Celebrity's House and Art Gallery were put into use. Small residential area regulations have also been established.

Taicang’s urban management has become more precise

The ecological environment has improved. Energy conservation and reduction of discharge was fully implemented. The construction of 10 exemplary beautiful villages and 10 ecological projects was advanced.

The process of urban-rural integration made solid progress. Prefabricated houses built for farmers covered 1.01 million square meters, and the farmer concentration living rate reached 63 percent. Disposable income of collective economy per village was up 6.75 million yuan.

The wellbeing of the people

• People's happiness index rose

• Coverage of urban social insurance reaches 98 percent

 • Ten government projects advance smoothly

Comprehensive guarantees have become more adequate. The registered urban unemployment rate reached 2.05 percent at the end of 2013. The coverage of urban social insurance reached 98 percent. Social security housing increased with the addition of 3,706 apartments.

Public service was continuously optimized. Ten government projects made progress. National demonstration zones of the public cultural service system were built. The comprehensive reform of public hospitals progressed smoothly. Yiyue Garden was completed. Construction finished on 33 daycare centers and 43 meal assistance sites.

The comprehensive management of social order has been strengthened. Taicang became the first county-level city to be given the Changan Cup with the advancement of safety construction and legal construction.