Xi calls for action to revive the northeast
Updated: 2016-05-26 03:34
By Zheng Jinran in Beijing and Tian Xuefei in Harbin(China Daily)
|
||||||||
Chinese President Xi Jinping visits an Ecological Economic Development Zone in Yichun, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, May 23, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] |
President Xi Jinping used a field inspection trip to Heilongjiang province this week to spread the message about the central leadership's decision to revive China's northeastern industrial belt.
He called for more action on economic reform and on environmentally friendly development in Heilongjiang and the northeast region.
The central leadership has issued a new plan to revitalize the economy in the northeast, which has long been hampered by a lack of reform and industrial upgrading.
The region, consisting of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces and the eastern part of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, was an industrial bastion in the 1950s and 1960s.
During his three-day tour, Xi traveled to Heilongjiang's forest areas, farming areas, the homes of ethnic minority groups, and technology companies in Harbin, the province's urban center.
In Yichun, a city with 4 million hectares of forest that used to be known for its lumber trade, residents have abandoned the industry since 2013.
Xi applauded the former forestry workers' efforts on forestry protection and the development of diverse new environmentally friendly industries.
"A good environment is also a resource. A good environment is also a form of productivity," Xi told the residents.
He encouraged them to seek sustainable business from the protection and conservation of local natural resources. "But you can always count on the central government's care," Xi said.
Wu Peishan, 33, who lives in Yichun, started her business in Beijing, selling the high quality honey collected from 30 households, 10 of which used to depend on the lumber industry.
"Annually, they can make 30,000 to 50,000 yuan ($4,570 to $7,600) on average, higher than their wages before," she said, adding that the best performing household could make as much as 80,000 yuan a year.
Jiang Yongbin, another former forestry worker, now earns a living from aquatic farming with his former colleagues. "I thank President Xi for bringing good policies to us," he said.
Contact the writers at zhengjinran@chinadaily.com.cn
- 2,000 refugees relocated on first day of major police operation
- No sign of EgyptAir plane technical problems before takeoff
- Chinese students at U. of Iowa accused of online cheating
- US Justice Dept. seeks death penalty for South Carolina shooter
- Global health entering new era: WHO chief
- Brazil's planning minister steps aside after recordings revelation
- Fireworks light up Shanghai Disneyland
- VR, robots, mini drones: Highlights of big data expo in Guiyang
- Top 10 saving countries in the world
- Men vs. Machine: different robots in daily life
- Following Alibaba, its online merchants now eye listings
- Traditional dresses for Yugur women in Northwest China
- Students pose for graduation photo with performance
- Kids climb vine ladder in 'cliff village' in Sichuan
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Anti-graft campaign targets poverty relief |
Cherry blossom signal arrival of spring |
In pictures: Destroying fake and shoddy products |
China's southernmost city to plant 500,000 trees |
Cavers make rare finds in Guangxi expedition |
Cutting hair for Longtaitou Festival |
Today's Top News
Liang avoids jail in shooting death
China's finance minister addresses ratings downgrade
Duke alumni visit Chinese Embassy
Marriott unlikely to top Anbang offer for Starwood: Observers
Chinese biopharma debuts on Nasdaq
What ends Jeb Bush's White House hopes
Investigation for Nicolas's campaign
Will US-ASEAN meeting be good for region?
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |