Party and government officials from Jinjiang city in Fujian province have shared their views on how to raise funds and make budget plans for the city’s new-type urbanization plan in an interview with China Daily.

Li Zhangkai, Director of Finance Bureau of Jinjiang:

"The money issue can be resolved through concepts, mechanisms and marketing operations. Every project pertaining to the urbanization plan will undergo a strict benefit assessment. And the investment and return will be seriously considered. Many of Jinjiang’s civic projects are supported by the country in its urbanization policies."

A bustling Wanda Plaza in Jinjiang, Fujian province. [Photo by Lai Jincai for China Daily]

Liu Wenru, Mayor of Jinjiang:

Besides financial investment by government, real estate developers and enterprises will chip in to relieve financial concerns.

To reduce cost and increase efficiencies, Jinjiang is sticking to the principal of "Eight Synchronizations", which have been pushing for coping with administrative approvals, project planning, land acquisition, business attraction, resettlement housing construction and cultural preservation all at the same time.

"A marketing operation is, to be frank, asking for money from the market. But it is a step-by-step process which must be blended in with the ‘Eight Synchronizations’. How to get the entire society involved is the key to getting the money (for urbanization plan)."

"As for the land issue, it will need careful planning. Rural industrialization got off the ground early (in Jinjiang), but with a low plot ratio. Now, on the same turf, we will reduce the density while increasing its loading capacity after scientific planning. "

Wanda Plaza in Jinjiang, Fujian province. [Photo by Shi Qiangliang for China Daily]

Chen Rongfa, Party secretary of Jinjiang:

The two pressing matters in urbanization are first, how to get the land, and second, how to get the money. Both of them have to rely on the principle of "government guidance, market operation".

"The government will be responsible for optimizing resources and making arrangements. Jinjiang has set up an office for ‘urban operations’ which is headed by the director of the Financial Bureau. Here in this office, the government will take the helm (of all sorts of programs concerning urbanization), and the financial bureau will dedicate itself to attracting more social capital."

Baxianshan Park in Jinjiang, Fujian province. [Photo by Shi Qiangliang for China Daily]