In those years, the rest of Guangdong, represented by the Pearl River Delta (PRD), seized the opportunity and worked hard to become a miracle of economic development for the whole country and the world.
Shantou is lagging behind, and Shantou is being left far behind.
How then can Shantou catch up in the new round of competition and maintain a sustained and rapid economic development?
The first " is to play the "overseas Chinese card", that is, to give play to the advantages of the many overseas Chinese in the Chaoshan region.
The reason why Shantou was designated as a special administrative region was mainly because Shantou "because of the Southeast Asian countries Chaozhou people" (see "Deng Xiaoping's Selected Writings", Chapter 3, page 366), it can be seen that the central government also took this into account at the beginning of the Shantou is also the use of foreign investment in the development of the economy's biggest advantage. Playing the "overseas Chinese card" is an important part of Shantou's economic development. The development of overseas Chinese economy, from the past mainly rely on overseas Chinese "donation-type" investment transfer to guide overseas Chinese to "industry-type" investment. Since the reform and opening up, Shantou *** to accept overseas Chinese donations equivalent to 2 billion yuan, so far (Shantou City, for example) the city approved 4,100 three-funded enterprises, the agreement on foreign investment of 3.689 billion U.S. dollars, the actual utilization of foreign capital of 1.429 billion U.S. dollars. These investments in terms of quantity, scale, grade and field are not in line with the status of Shantou as the "hometown of overseas Chinese". The use of overseas Chinese as a link to attract more capital, and through this link to attract investment objects and attract investment in the field of expanding to Europe, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, which is to make the overseas Chinese hometown economy on a stage of the key.
The second ", turn the "billiard ball", and vigorously expand the economic ties with the island of Taiwan.
With the development of cross-strait relations, the mainland and Taiwan's economic dependence has been increasingly high. The closest point between Taiwan and Shantou is only more than 100 nautical miles away, and trade between the two regions has a long history of interaction. However, Shantou's trade with Taiwan amounts to only US$150 million. Small trade with Taiwan amounts to about US$20 million. All this is not in line with the economic development of the two regions. Improving the work with Taiwan is another key for Shantou to take off. To this end, we should take the lead in breaking the situation of the "three passes", and take advantage of the geographical advantage of Taiwan, as well as the advantage of a large number of Taiwanese compatriots (Nan'ao County has a population of only 70,000 people, while the Taiwanese compatriots amount to more than 100,000 people) to do everything possible to attract Taiwan's capital, technology, and management to take the lead in attracting them over. At the same time, actively apply to the central government for the establishment of a free trade zone with Taiwan on Nan'ao Island, so that people can come and go freely. At the same time, to strive for Shantou port to Taiwan "three-way" port, and strive to realize the economic leap to Taiwan.
Three ", Shantou region for the status quo, giving priority to the development of high-tech industries, selected "sunrise industry" to drive the region's economic development. In addition, Shantou as a hundred years as a port, entrepot trade has a long history, is located in the geographical location, the development of high-tech content of the tertiary industry, the development of entrepot trade, warehousing services, transportation, the corresponding development of real estate, tourism, and the export of labor, foreign contracting and so on. In view of the reality of Shantou, should improve and fully explore the function of Shantou Free Trade Zone, as well as the improvement of facilities and supporting, with excellent internal and external environment, to attract domestic and foreign business consortiums to invest in the zone, set up factories, expanding the visibility of the Free Trade Zone.
The fourth ", agricultural development of the marine economy as a breakthrough, the construction of the "three high" agriculture, to create "three-dimensional agriculture", "foreign exchange earnings agriculture.
Shantou has always been crowded, population density of about 1,800 people / square kilometer, per capita arable land in Shantou is 0.22 acres, is one of the country's most densely populated, per capita arable land is one of the smallest areas. Facing this situation, it is urgent to build "Shantou by Sea" and develop the marine economy. Vigorously developing aquaculture and medium- and distant-water fishing is an important part of accelerating Shantou's economic development. In the limited land, the use of its climate advantages, as well as relatively close to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, the development of high value-added agricultural products, engaged in "three-dimensional agriculture", "foreign exchange earning agriculture".
The fifth ", the formation of multinational enterprise groups, to the international market, so that the "big open, big circulation, big money" three beautiful and perfect.
According to the "Chaozhou" records: "...... Chao people good business, repeated empty son, only to go to the ocean, leather pillow cover other than no long things. Employed for a few years, a little seek independent business, and then over the years, a few are not a huge overseas businessman carry on." This shows that the Chaoshan people will be in business for a long time. Nowadays, many famous merchants and tycoons are mostly Chaoshan people (e.g. Li Ka-shing). Therefore, we should give full play to the advantages of Chaoshan people who are rich in business and have many overseas Chaoshan people to go out of the country and really go to the international stage to participate in the international competition. The local government should actively support the formation of cross-industry and cross-sectoral enterprise groups, based in Hong Kong and Macao, extending to Southeast Asia, and creating conditions for penetration of the European and American markets.
The six ", talent is the basis of economic takeoff, play the region "people and place" advantage, and focus on the introduction of "foreign brains", both hands, the development of human resources.
Shantou's advantage lies in the people and the land. While vigorously cultivating talents, it should also "broaden the river", introduce intelligence and attract talents. "Science and technology is the first productive force", talent for Shantou's takeoff is very important, should actively create conditions to attract "peacocks flying southeast". At the same time in the domestic talent, should also actively attract Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and the United States, Japan, South Korea, Europe and other countries and regions of the talent, to draw on their knowledge, technology and management experience, for my use.
The seventh ", according to the location advantage, multi-factor and all-round to create regional economic integration, revitalize the development of Guangdong East, western Fujian, Gannan big triangle economic zone.
Shantou is located at the leading edge of eastern Guangdong, western Fujian and Gannan, and has historically been a transportation hub, an import and export shore and a commodity distribution center. With a total area of about 100,000 square kilometers and a total population of about 38 million, this region is rich in hydropower, minerals, forests, land and human resources. With the opening of Beijing-Kowloon Railway, Guangzhou-Meizhou-Shantou Railway and Shenzhen-Shantou Expressway, the finalization of Shantou Bay Bridge, the imminent commencement of the construction of the new airport in Shantou, the completion of Shantou Guang'ao Deep Water Port Terminal, and the formation of the Great Triangle Economic Zone of East Guangdong, West Fujian and Gannan, a favorable environment has been created. Give full play to the advantages of Shantou's location, play the role of "leader" and "channel", relying on the vast hinterland, to drive the economic development of the eastern Guangdong, western Fujian, Gannan triangle economic zone, **** with the prosperity.
The eight ", strive for central policy tilt, so that Shantou in the process of export-oriented economic development, especially in the economic work on Taiwan to play its great advantage, to create a new special economic zone on Taiwan.
Given Shantou's important geographic location, human characteristics, and its great potential for development. The country should recognize Shantou's economic development at a new height. It is suggested to set up a free trade zone with Taiwan in Nan'ao County (island), and through effective ways, prompt the Taiwan authorities to open regular passenger and cargo ships of Nan'ao Kaohsiung on a trial basis in advance, and in order to avoid the trouble of transit for Taiwan compatriots traveling to and from Shantou via Hong Kong and Macao, special policies should be implemented for Nan'ao. For example: Taiwan compatriots in and out of Nan'ao only have to hold a valid document, no visa, out of the island travel and tourism, visiting relatives, enjoying 72 hours visa-free, to the Chaoshan area for business, tourism, visiting relatives, sightseeing, the implementation of visa-on-arrival.
Looking at the regional economic development of Shantou, Shantou only give priority to the development of overseas Chinese economy, marine economy, trade economy and regional economy, at the same time, actively attract talents, training talents, play the role of the existing talent, Shantou's economy can only catch up in the new round of economic competition.
Faced with the challenges of the world economy, Shantou can only work hard, work hard and work hard again.