Editor’s Note: Zhejiang characterized as the cradle of private-owned economy, has witnessed batches of companies’ birth, development and thriving. With the favorable business environment and policy support, the enterprises have expanded into multinational level. Today’s Zhejiang Highlights will uncover the list of the “2021 Top 50 Privately-owned Chinese Multinational Companies in Zhejiang” and the news related with technological innovation, global business and preparation for 2022 Asian Games.

1. Zhejiang releases top 50 private multinationals

The Zhejiang Outbound Investment Enterprise Association and a Zhejiang-based research institute that studies multinational corporations recently jointly published a list of the “2021 Top 50 Privately-owned Chinese Multinational Companies in Zhejiang”.

The Zhejiang-based private multinationals’ rankings were based on an overall evaluation of 22 indicators, including their overseas assets, transnational index, and import and export value as of the end of 2020. The top 50 companies had a combined 565 billion yuan ($88.6 billion) in overseas assets, 572.6 billion yuan in operating revenue from abroad, and 260,000 overseas employees. Their aggregate in exports and imports in 2020 was $23.1 billion and $19 billion, respectively.

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, China's largest private carmaker, topped the list, followed by Tsingshan Holding Group, Huayou Cobalt, Wanxiang Group, and Hailiang Group. Among the top 50 companies, 18 are based in Hangzhou, nine in Ningbo, and seven in Shaoxing. Wenzhou and Jiaxing are both home to four companies on the list.

2. Polls for the Top 10 Zhejiang breaking technological events

2021 is coming to an end. In Retrospect to this year, Zhejiang has reaped bumper harvest in the fields of science and technology innovation. Zhejiang Daily and Zhejiang News Client jointly launched the "Top 10 Science and Technology Events in Zhejiang in 2021" campaign, inviting netizens to participate in the appraisal process of a series of publicly reported science and technology events from this year. The “Top 10 Science and Technology Events of Zhejiang 2021” will be released based on the opinions of the expert jury and internet polls. Achievements in the science and technology realm cover from the academic research breakthrough to the practical invention in AI, biotechnology, proving Zhejiang’s accelerating steps to build the technological strength.  

3. New ‘silk road’ connects Yiwu, Europe

On Dec 9, 2014, the first Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe freight train arrived in Madrid, Spain after a 13,000-km journey and marked the opening of a new chapter in the history of China-Europe trade. Over the past seven years, Yiwu, a county-level city in East China’s Zhejiang province, has launched 17 China-Europe freight train routes that link it to 101 railway stations abroad. The sphere of influence of these routes now spans 160 plus cities in 50 countries on the Eurasian continent.

In terms of both the number of routes and the sphere of influence, the Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe freight train service eclipses most other China-Europe freight train services conducted by other Chinese cities. More than 3,300 Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe freight train trips have been completed over the past seven years. Over 100,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargos have been transported this way so far this year.

Currently, exported cargo are sourced from 15 provincial-level regions in China, including Zhejiang, Shanghai, Anhui, and Jiangsu. The most popular imported goods include red wine from Spain, auto parts from Germany, and crystal glasses from the Czech Republic.

4. Warm moments of fighting Covid-19 pandemic captured by Zhejiang artists

In the face of COVID-19 prevention and control, the majority of artists in Zhejiang contributed themselves to actively joining the silent battle against the epidemic, and carefully recorded the touching moments of the tough period.

Recently, organized by the Zhejiang Cartoonist Association, cartoonists have picked up the pen and paper in their hands to help fight the epidemic, and portray and narrate the stories of medical workers putting their duty before their lives and made sacrifices to fight the pandemic—the heroes in harm’s way, scenes of warm moments, and blessing for the better future......

5. Wenzhou's gleaming new facilities all set for Asian Games

As a major center for dragon boat racing, Wenzhou city in Zhejiang province is bringing the traditional Chinese custom into the modern realm as it prepares to host the sport at next year's Asian Games. The dragon boat competition for Hangzhou 2022 will be staged at the newly constructed Wenzhou Dragon Boat Sports Center, where six gold medals will be up for grabs.

The pleasant climate in Wenzhou, which enjoys four distinct seasons and abundant rainfall, makes it an ideal location for dragon boat racing, while the race center is conveniently located in the city's central Ouhai district with excellent rail links.

Jin Kai, secretary-general of the Wenzhou Dragon Boat Association, told China Daily that dragon boats have a special meaning for local residents. “every year when we hold dragon boat activities, those at home and abroad will rush home and reunite with their families,” said Jin. “Everyone in the boat works together, gradually forming the dragon boat spirit, which is the quality of daring to be first, working together to overcome difficulties, battle through adversity, and work hard.” Zhang Zhihong, director of Wenzhou Sports Bureau, echoed those sentiments, saying: "Dragon boat racing is a traditional sport and cultural tradition in Wenzhou, so it is deeply loved by Wenzhou people.

Editor: Huang Yan