China sees Pittsburgh as role model for industrial transformation, eyeing hi-tech shift from rust-belt roots
- Through decades of revitalisation efforts, the US city of Pittsburgh reversed its fortunes and became a destination for advanced manufacturing
- But for Jilin and other Chinese provinces to become hi-tech hubs, some experts say US technology will be indispensable
China’s old northeastern rust-belt province of Jilin is looking for a bit of inspiration in the US city of Pittsburgh – the one-time steel capital that gradually transformed into a hub for advanced technology companies.
In a round-table discussion with dozens of American business executives on July 8 in Jilin’s capital, Changchun, Xiao Weiming, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said Pittsburgh’s economic renaissance could serve as a model for China’s state-dominated old industrial base.
“Typical old industrial cities in the United States, such as Pittsburgh, through decades of hard work and efforts, vigorously develop diversified industries such as advanced technology, medical care, education and finance, and have achieved a magnificent turnaround,” Xiao said.
“On the one hand, we actively learn from the United States and other countries to promote old industrial bases; make adjustments based on experiences and practices in their transformations; learn from each other’s strengths, and build on the reality of the old industrial bases in northeast China,” he said.
