Dynamic Transformation on Enterprises around Jiaozhou Bay
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The ongoing effort to protect the environment in Jiaozhou Bay in Qingdao has led to the dynamic transformation of enterprises in the area.

As a result, changes have taken place in the job choices being offered to local residents.

Shen Ting has more.

Reporter: 57-year old Gao Xuliang used to work in a textile factory.

Thirty eight years ago he entered No.6 cotton spinning and weaving factory as a young boy. At the time, the factory was one of nine big weaving factories in Qingdao.

The memory of the its prosperity comes alive as soon as Gao Xuliang starts speaking:"I began working here in 1978; now almost forty years have passed. I remember I was very enthusiastic at work. More than 7,000 people were working in the factory and the workforce was divided into four different shifts."

The prosperity of cotton mills dates back to the era following the 1st World War, when the Japanese-owned cotton mills successively opened branches in Qingdao.

During the 1930s, the Qingdao cotton industry was dominated by Japanese-owned mills, which had superior technology and marketing methods.

By 1945,the year that Japan surrendered to the Allies, it was reported that Qingdao was home to nine Japanese cotton mills, whereas there were around 30 Japanese cotton mills in Shanghai and seven others in Tianjin.

The 1990s was a vibrant period for the textile industry in Qingdao. Gao Xuliang recalls that women textile workers going off work together every afternoon was a regular sight in the city.

On September 28, 2016, renovation took place at the old workshops of No.6 cotton spinning and weaving factory, transforming it into a postal service and an E-commerce industrial park.

Simultaneously, Gao Xuliang, an old textile worker, turned himself into a member of the Internet industry."I have a profound feeling about the old factory I worked at and also feel pity that it closed. But this is an inevitable trend following the decline of the textile industry. I reckon that the change is positive progress."

Some local officials also think minimizing the old textile industry is the simplest way to help reduce the burden on the environment in Jiaozhou Bay.

The fact that the textile factory was renovated to become an E-commerce park is also seen as a restructuring and an upgrading of industries located at the bay.

Chen Shoufa, the director of Qingdao International E-commerce Association, echoes this sentiment."The E-commerce park opened on September 28th. Within the first month following the launch of the park, trade volume of imports and exports exceeded 30 million US dollars. Statistics show that the park generated over six million US dollars' trade during the online shopping festival."

The launch of the `E-commerce Park also led to new job opportunities. Chen Shoufa explains again:"The enterprises that deal with international E-commerce are all newly-built. It employs a young, energetic workforce. Meanwhile E-commerce wouldn't cause any pollution. Without pollution, the Jiaozhou Bay's environment may be better protected."

The Hongdao High-tech Development Zone was also built at the Jiaozhou Bay.

33-year old Liu Runhua grew up at the bay. Now, he is an engineer with a manufacturing factory, in charge of the construction of environmental protection facilities within the enterprises."The sewage water discharged from our production line used to be treated by another company. After the new system was put into operation, we treat all waste water on our own. The new system applies techniques rarely used in China. Finally, 100% of the water discharged meets the required standards."

During the 12th Five-Year plan period, Qingdao promoted moving enterprises from Jiaozhou Bay, an unprecedented move in its history.

More than 200 enterprises have been relocated or shut down. Many moved out of the Jiaozhou Bay Industrial Zone.

A number of commercial centers, high-tech companies and companies embracing the service economy are successively moving into the zone.

The wave of changes shows how Qingdao is making the necessary adjustments in its industries to protect the Jiaozhou Bay.

Author： 　　　Source：CRI　　　 Editor：Yang Fan