Double-Eight Strategy: Pioneering Zhejiang's future

During his time in Zhejiang, Xi Jinping conducted extensive research on various aspects of the province, and made detailed development strategies. He laid out major strategic decisions that leveraged eight major strengths of the province and implemented eight key initiatives. These became known as the Double-Eight Strategy.

The strategy was introduced to Zhejiang at the turn of the century, after it had developed over years since the reform and opening up. The province was experiencing rapid economic growth and significant social transformation, but also facing "growing pains." It urgently needed to address the unsustainability of traditional development models and the widening urban-rural and regional developmental gaps. The strategy provided a comprehensive response to questions regarding how Zhejiang would overcome various hurdles and achieve transformative development.

The Double-Eight Strategy originated from practical experiences, transcended those experiences, and simultaneously guided and led to further actions. In its implementations, to balance environmental protection with socio-economic development, and transform Zhejiang's ecological strengths into developmental advantages, Xi introduced the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," which has become a widely recognized idea. Additionally, to promote economic restructuring and shift development models, the strategy calls for replacing old drivers of growth with new ones. To foster regional coordination, it encouraged developed areas to support the development of less developed regions by promoting the coordinated development of mountainous and coastal areas. To advance rural development, Zhejiang launched the "Ten Thousand Villages Remodeling Project" setting the goal that "everyone has a job, every household has an income." To expand openness and cooperation, Xi encouraged local businesses to expand beyond Zhejiang as part of its development strategies. These advanced principles, ideas, and strategic projects have not only profoundly influenced and driven Zhejiang's development, but their successful practices are now being implemented across the nation.

The Double-Eight Strategy not only pioneered various practices while planning for long-term development, its goals also stayed close to the people, bringing them tangible benefits. The changes and impacts brought by the strategy have expanded from specific areas to broader regions and from long-term goals to immediate benefits. They touch on every aspect of daily life, including food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, employment, healthcare, and eldercare, in ways that are evident in our daily lives, with benefits that are tangible and visible, and deeply felt.

To see far, one must climb high. Every region's progress requires vision and science-based planning to provide direction for sustainable growth. The Double-Eight Strategy offers solutions that fundamentally address Zhejiang's challenges in achieving high-quality development, providing both immediate solutions and sustainable methods. It clarifies the task of "crossing the river," showing us the way forward, and providing the "bridges" and "boats" to solve problems, guiding us on how to proceed.

The Double-Eight Strategy, which began in Zhejiang, goes beyond regional and temporal boundaries. The core principles, innovative ideas, and scientific approaches it embodies belong to the entire nation, and are shared with the world. It is an important guidebook for the way forward.

The author, Zhang Yan, is director of the Fourth Research Department of Xi Jinping Thought on Economy Study Center.