China's historical, cultural hub Hangzhou shifts development focus

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 -- The eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou is expanding to the east and embracing the Qiantang River, marking a development focus shifting from the West Lake.

Hangzhou's Jianggan District is holding the third Qiantang River International Cultural Festival to spread over five months, beginning July, in a bid to embed cultural genes into the city's development strategy of embracing the Yangtze River.

Hangzhou has adjusted the ‘circular development approach’ with the West Lake as its centre by making the river as the permanent main line of its long-term development.

It is also establishing the development philosophy of urban eastward expansion, boosting tourism in the west, and development along the Qiantang River.

Specifically, the core of the Qiantang River culture is braving challenges and striving for excellence, staying open-minded and seeking exchanges and mutual prosperity.

The Jianggan District is the bridgehead and pioneer area for the co-development with the Qiantang River.

Held for three consecutive years, the Qiantang River International Cultural Festival has carried out 41 main activities and more than 50 related activities, attracting over 3.1 million participants.

-- BERNAMA