1、1Daqing,Science GiantHALF a century ago, Daqingwas a barren land in themid-west of HeilongjiangProvince in the center ofSonghuajiang-Nenjiang Plain. On Sep-tember 26, 1959 its first oil well wasdrilled, and a settlement was estab-lished to exploit the rich reserves. It wasnamed Daqing, getting its n
2、ame fromcelebrations for Chinas National Dayon October 1. In the following decadesDaqing evolved from a mining projectwith rough-and-tumble barracks to anurban enterprise with a complete set ofpublic services, and eventually to a eco-nomically balanced and environmentallysustainable modern city. Wit
3、h the dawn of the 21st centu-ry, Daqing started a new comprehensivephase to consolidate its existing develop-ment, moving into a period critical forachieving social goals. Currently, Daqingis endeavoring to upgrade its economicgrowth pattern, stimulate sustainable de-velopment and enhance social har
4、mony. Consolidating the Foundation forDevelopment 2However, the Rome wasnt built in aday, and change of this kind is wroughtover years. After over 5o years of devel-opment, Daqing has formed a solid eco-nomic base with its 2010 GDP reachingRMB 29o billion. Daqings citizens have a simple belief:the m
5、ore rapid urban development is,the more solid a foundation is needed,and the pace of development should betempered. If Daqing is to bring its strat-egies for scientific development into fullplay, further consolidation of industry,urban infrastructure, culture and otheraspects of society are needed.
6、Strength-ening new industries downstream fromits original oil industry is one way tobuild a strong position all around, high-light its striking cultural environmentand improve its institutions. For everycitizen to enjoy the fruits of its develop-ment and to build a fairer and more har-monious societ
7、y new heights in economicstrength, environmental protection, so-cial services, urban transformation andlivelihoods must be reached. Meanwhile, the people of Daqing un-derstand that their home was born fromoil and the sweat and sacrifice of its oilworkers in the early days of the city. Topush develop
8、ment further in a new era,Daqing must add the spirit of openness,inclusiveness, honesty and sharing to itstradition of hardwork and 3perseverance.At the beginning of the 12th Five-yearPlan for National Economic and SocialDevelopment, Daqing proposed fivestrategic tasks around scientific develop-ment
9、. First, it aims to maintain a stableannual oil output of 40 million tons andextend the life of its oilfields to 100 years.Second, it will nurture new support-ive industries downstream from off pro-duetion, to increase industrial scale andquality across the board and consolidateits industrial base.
10、Third, it will speed upurbanization and modernization of thecity by building a pleasantly livable en-vironment and efficient, sensible urbanmanagement. Fourth, it will intensify its efforts to build a new socialist country-side, ensuring increased grain output,higher incomes for farmers, and socials
11、tability. Fifth, it will comprehensivelystrengthen social services and maintaincommunity safety and stability so as tobuild a harmonious Daqing, ensure thewell-being of the people, and improvetheir lives. A long-term vision is critical for thehealthy development of any city. Da-qing people believe t
12、hat only with amore solid foundation can they engineertheir next glory. Improving CitizensHappiness Index 4White clouds drift against a backdropof blue sky, a myriad of imposing build-ings rise up above a well-planned citywith wide roads and free-flowing traffic.Interspersed with wetlands with flock
13、s ofbirds ehirrupping in the bracing air. Thisis Daqing. Almost every person who visitsDaqing exclaims “what a beautiful city!“ In fact, Daqings beauty isnt foundexclusively in its environment. In the2010 Blue Book on Competitiveness ofChinese Cities released by the ChineseAcademy of Social Sciences
14、, Daqing wason the list of Chinas top 50 competitivecities. On the happiness index Daqingcitizens ranked 92nd, the highest amongcities in Northeast China. Daqing peoples happiness originatesfrom various projects. In reeent years,focusing on improving the general well-being of its people, Daqing has
15、compre-hensively strengthened social services tosatisfy peoples needs on several levelsand has encouraged a pattern of develop-ment where peoples standard of livingcomes first. Every year it earmarks RMB5 billion for programs aimed to boostlocal incomes, foster good citizenship,support startups, pro
16、vide comfortablehousing and social security, and improvehealth, traffic conditions, the 5environ-ment, culture, and safety. In this way,Daqing authorities hope to construct aharmonious society of happy familiesand cooperative citizens in a balancedenvironment that supports lives of afflu-ence and di
17、gnity. Daqing is already mak-ing strides with its first goal:the 2010per capita disposable income in urbanDaqing reached RMB 20,000, up 46 per-cent over 2005, and the 2010 per capitanet income of rural residents reachedRMB 8,000, double that of 2o0o. Guided by the 12th Five-year Plan,the Daqing gove
18、rnment proposed thatit would make peoples lives much hap-pier in a variety of areas. The goals in-elude obtaining the best quality of life inthe country and creating a new living en-vironment with clearer skies and water,manageable traffic, and a more aestheticand convenient city landscape. It willn
19、urture new healthy lifestyles and satisfythe peoples material and spiritual needson all levels. Finally, to facilitate peopleslives and build a fairer and more equalsociety, a standardized and well orga-nized urban public service system will bedeveloped. With clear traffic, and comfortablehousing an
20、d sound public security, no wonder smiling faces are seen every-where in Daqing. 6Building a Beautiful City Development brings beauty to a city,and scientific development is bound tomake a city even more enticing. In recent years, Daqing has taken ur-ban and ecological planning as the prem-ise of bu
21、ilding a beautiful city. It aims toachieve development and modernizationwithout a toll on the ecosystem. Its visionof the future is “a city built on the oil in-dustry and scientific & technological inno-vations, vigorous in every walk of life, andadmired for charming water views andlush grasslands.“
22、 Aware of the inherentflaws in an urban design that is based onoilfields alone, Daqing is enhancing thecityscape by expanding its water system,wetlands and green spaces. Over the lastfew years it has lavished RMB 100 billionon some 200 key projects to build facili-ties and services that ensure a smo
23、oth,efficient and fully flmctioning city. During the five years from 2on to2015, Daqing will intensify“ efforts toconstruct new districts and renovateold downtown areas, optimize city lay-out, upgrade urban functions, furtherimprove its environment and shape itsunique style so as 7to build Daqing into amodern international metropolis that issophisticated and nourishing.
