A news conference themed on Zhejiang's development over the past seven decades is held in Beijing on July 12. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Under the slogan "deepening double eight strategies and restarting reform and opening-up", Zhejiang promoted itself to the world in Beijing on July 12.

Hosted by the State Council Information Office, a news conference focusing on Zhejiang's development over the past seven decades attracted the attention of 82 reporters from 38 international and domestic media outlets eager to learn more about the coastal province's transformation.

Che Jun, Party chief of Zhejiang, listed three major roles the province has played in China's development. He said Zhejiang is the place where "Red Boat Spirit", the origin of China's revolutionary spirit, originated, where China's reform and opening-up was pioneered, and where Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era germinated.

Che Jun, Party chief of Zhejiang province, gives a speech at the news conference in Beijing on July 12. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Since the People's Republic of China was founded 70 years ago, Zhejiang has been transformed from an economically poor region into one of the most prosperous provinces in the country and a hub of innovation, according to Che.

The Party head cited several statistics to demonstrate the transformation. The Gross Domestic Product of Zhejiang rose to 5.6 trillion yuan ($832.22 billion) in 2018 from 1.5 billion in 1949, the year the People's Republic of China was founded. The per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents reached 55,600 and 27,300 yuan respectively in 2018, while the numbers in 1949 were 116 and 47. In terms of innovation and entrepreneurship, official statistics showed that today there is one business owner for every nine people in Zhejiang.

In his speech, Che stressed the year of 2003, when the "double eight strategy" was formed. The strategy stated eight strengths Zhejiang possesses in terms of economic structure, geological position, industries, coordinated development of urban and rural areas, ecology, mountain and ocean resources, environment, and culture, as well as eight measures the province is taking to further take advantage of these strengths.

He said the "double eight strategy" is an innovative implementation of socialism with Chinese characteristics and serves as the general guideline for Zhejiang's development. Over the past 16 years, Zhejiang has secured major advances in economy, quality of life, social stability and ecology.