By Tom McGregor, CNTV Panview Commentator
In eastern China’s Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou will host the Group of 20 (G20) Summit on Sept. 4-5 and would greet heads of state from 20 of the most powerful nations.
Tens of thousands more dignitaries - diplomats, business leaders and journalists - will converge for a summit themed “Towards an innovative, invigorated, inter-connected and inclusive world economy.”
With its 8+ million residents and home to Alibaba Group Holdings, the world’s largest e-commerce platform site, Hangzhou has captured public acclaim for its modern amenities and talented workforce.
G20 leaders will gather in a city, which stands tall as a business success story, where numerous startup companies are flourishing. The bustling metropolis will be the first Chinese city to host a G20 Summit.
An emerging high-class city
Hanzhou is more than a business hub. It’s recognized as a tourist hot spot and had been a favorite locale for ancient Chinese poets and artists who relished viewing the scenic West Lake.
“Hangzhou has been regarded throughout China as national cultural and leisure capital renowned for its rich legacy and pristine natural beauty,” Li Hong, director-general Hangzhou Tourism Commission told Luxury Travel magazine.
The city will highlight its strengths by mixing its ancient history with the modern-day era. Next month, developers will open up more luxury hotels and malls with completed renovations of tourist and shopping districts. Visitors can enjoy free citywide WiFi access.
Hangzhou Tourism Passport holders can use a mobile QR scan code to make reservations and purchases at trendy restaurants, hotels, shops and tourist attractions in the city.
Keeping safety as top priority
Hosting the 2016 G20 Summit would be no easy task, but Chinese government officials on the local, provincial and national levels are planning to ensure a safe meeting for global leaders. They have tightened up security since the beginning of August in the Yangtze River cities - Hangzhou, Nanjing and Shanghai.
A new anti-terror law implemented last January calls for stricter security checks and screenings of suspicious individuals in the lead-up to major events in the region.
Hangzhou and the surrounding area had required transportation ports - airports, roads, railways, shipping ports, bus and subway stations - to tighten up security procedures as well.
The new security initiative orders ‘real name’ ID checks for all ship crews, logistics workers and truck drivers in the vicinity of Hangzhou, which includes Anji County, northwest of the city.
“Anji officials have vigorously carried out special road transportation market activities over the past five months,” a Zhejiang Provincial Department press release said.
Volunteers at the helm
Tougher security may slow down the free movement of visitors in public, but civic volunteers stand ready to make life easier for them. G20 organizers have recruited over 3,700 on-site volunteers, mainly Chinese students and teachers from China’s universities with above-average foreign language skills.
They would assist participants in G20 meetings, while 700 others will be on standby. 25 international students from Russia, Germany, Australia and Kazakhstan and studying in Chinese universities would also participate.
Accordingly, Hangzhou residents take pride in their community spirit. City officials informed China Daily that the Municipality lays claim to over 1 million volunteers, 23,000 teams and 6,500 community organizations, who play an active role in social services, year-round.
Right place for a global conference
Hangzhou can hold its head up high as the 2016 G20 Summit host city. Nevertheless, many global citizens are very familiar with the Chinese cities - Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, but are unfamiliar with Hangzhou.
That’s unfortunate, since the city has enjoyed a long-standing cultural history, but with the upcoming G20, the world can learn more about Hangzhou’s charms.
( The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )
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