Dalian Hi-Tech Zone improves business environment to empower firms

The Dalian Hi-Tech Industrial Zone in northeast China has taken a raft of measures including streamlining business process and leveraging digital tools to foster a business-friendly environment that could empower companies to thrive.

Home to over 1,200 tech firms, th Dalian High-Tech Industrial Zone is prioritizing a service-oriented approach to business development. Central to this approach is the establishment of an Enterprise Service Center, providing professional services tailored to the needs of businesses.

Shi Jinjin, general manager of tech company ITOWARE, was impressed by the quick response of staff at the service center when she urgently needed to update her company's business license information to finalize a contract scheduled for later in the day.

"The staff here take the business' perspective into account. While it's normal for a business license change to take two or three days, the staff understood that signing a contract is a significant event for a company, so they managed to get the change done in just two hours," said Shi.

The administrative service center offers one-stop service including business consultation and other types of assistance to people in need. Be it about taxes, social security inquiries or anything related to a company's business license, all of that can be dealt with here efficiently.

"Behind the implementation of the 'one-stop' service is the strong collaboration of functional departments across the entire region. Ten business departments are at the forefront, delivering precise and professional services," said Liu Yudong, an official from the Business Environment Construction Bureau of Dalian.

In addition to streamlining the process of handling business matters for enterprises, the High-Tech Zone has also launched a mini program to connect employers with skilled professionals who are critical to business development.

"The benefit of this mini-program is that it centralizes talent within the Dalian High-Tech Zone, allowing companies in the area to receive resumes more quickly. For job seekers, it offers the advantage of finding employment close to home, which is highly desirable for those living in the high-tech zone," said Hao Feixue, an HR manager.

Dalian Hi-Tech Zone improves business environment to empower firms

Dozens of protesters in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture rallied in front of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Fuji on Tuesday to condemn the government's deployment of new missiles at the base.

Japan's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that a Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) for island defense had been deployed at Camp Fuji, and Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture had been equipped with a ground-launched version of the upgraded Type 12 land-to-ship guided missile.

This marks the first time that long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities have been brought into service in Japan and marks a significant shift from the country's long-standing exclusively defense-oriented policy under its war-renouncing Constitution.

Protesters have expressed concern that the deployment could turn the area into a potential military target and have repeatedly called on the defense ministry to hold public briefings, which have yet to take place.

"As local residents, we cannot remain silent. We must speak out to reassure our residents and ensure their safety. This time, they are deploying a Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile, but this will continue. After Camp Kengun and Camp Fuji, they will deploy more throughout the country. We cannot ignore this. We must voice our opposition," said Hiroyuki Takahata, a protester.

"As mentioned in the latest appeal, the government disregards the Constitution in this missile deployment. It should focus on its primary duty of protecting people's lives and well-being," said another protester.

The local civic group Stop Missiles at Fuji Association has also submitted a petition to the Japanese military, demanding that the Japanese government stop deploying missiles at Camp Fuji and re-examine its security policies.

"Missiles have been transported to Kumamoto and also deployed here, without any explanation. This is tantamount to deceiving us. We are extremely angry," said Hiromi Yamazaki, a representative of the organization.

"Since Sanae Takaichi took office, we have seen that Japan is heading toward a situation where it could start a war, so we must speak out. We don't want the younger generation to bear that kind of future. This is our wish," said Michiko Takahata, another protester.

Japanese rally against government's missile deployment