Huang Qifan: Designer of Chongqing economy set on a new march

On December 10, 2009, Huang Qifan was present in the launching ceremony of the Chongqing Branch, Citibank, which was the eighth foreign bank in Chongqing. This was the first time he appeared in the public after he was appointed the acting mayor of Chongqing.

Huang Qifan was born in 1952 in Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province. He graduated from Shanghai Mechanics College in 1977 and joined the CPC in 1976. He has spent his career working in the local government of Shanghai and then he served as vice mayor of Chongqing from 2001 to 2009. On December 3, 2009 he became acting mayor of Chongqing and deputy secretary of the Chongqing Municipal CPC Committee.

He was thought to be a government official who was familiar with both economy and administration. Some people even called him as the designer-general of Chongqing economy. During his eight years as vice mayor of Chongqing, he took measures to push the restructurings of financial enterprises and state-owned enterprises  in Chongqing through founding eight investment groups. Chongqing’s economy saw fast development in these years and the pace was not eased in the financial crisis. Hong Kong-based Asian Weekly praised Chongqing’s economic development as “Chongqing Pattern”.

It was believed that Huang’s appointment will bring more positive influence upon Chongqing’s economic development. He and Bo Xilai, secretary of the Chongqing Municipal CPC Committee, were believed to have the ability to bring Chongqing into a new stage.