On Fuzhou's Development And Its Role In Building Western Straits Economic Zone

Western Straits Economic Zone includes Fujian Province and parts of its neighboring provinces, Guangdong, Jiangxi and Zhejiang. It is in a relatively locationally advantageous position for it is situated in the southeast of China and faces Taiwan on the other side of the Taiwan Strait. Three major cities in Fujian Province, Fuzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou, are very important in Fujian's development in history. Especially Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian Province, is the center of politics, economy, technology and culture and plays an important role in Western Straits Economic Zone, communication with Taiwan and China's strategic layout.This thesis analyzes Fuzhou's advantages and disadvantages and proposes its development strategies. Fuzhou's advantages lie in six aspects including its economic strength, level of urbanization, locationally advantageous position, infrastructure construction, port resources, investment environment and development of private economy. Fuzhou's disadvantages lie in its small size, radiation and leading function, utilization of foreign capital, industrial structure and resource constraints. The author proposes Fuzhou's development strategies in its further cooperation and communication with Taiwan, spatial development, cultural innovation, and institutional innovation in order to help Fuzhou play its appropriate role in the development of Western Straits Economic Zone.