Hong Kong Bauhinia Magazine:
The resource endowments and development foundations of Shaanxi's three major regions - Guanzhong region, northern Shaanxi, and southern Shaanxi - differ significantly. What efforts has Shaanxi made in recent years to promote regional coordinated development? In what areas will it continue to focus its efforts? Thank you.
Zhao Gang:
Thank you for your questions; I will answer them. As you mentioned, northern Shaanxi is the Loess Plateau, the central region is the Guanzhong Plain, and southern Shaanxi is the Qinba Mountains area. Each region has its own distinct geographical environments, resource endowments, and economic foundations. Over the years, we have emphasized the overall development of the province, focusing on the strategic development of county-level economies. We have implemented a differentiated management approach based on the distinct strengths of industrial, agricultural, and ecological counties to maximize regional advantages. In 2023, the aggregate GDP of counties in the province reached 1.62 trillion yuan, accounting for 48% of the provincial total, which has played a significant role in driving the overall economic growth of the province and promoting mutual empowerment and coordinated development among the three major regions.
In the Guanzhong region, we have focused on sci-tech innovation and advanced manufacturing. Nearly 90% of the province's total social R&D expenditure is concentrated in the region, with an investment intensity of 3.35%, which is 0.8 percentage point higher than the national average. The region's strategic emerging industries closely related to innovation account for 80% of the province's total. The industrial division of labor and mutually beneficial effects of integration in the region are gradually strengthening, forming a good situation where Xi'an serves as the center, focusing on innovative development, and driving the coordinated development of industries in surrounding cities such as Xianyang, Weinan, Baoji, and Tongchuan. In northern Shaanxi, we are accelerating the energy transformation, and jointly initiated the development of the Yulin Energy Revolution Innovation Demonstration Zone with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. As I mentioned earlier about the industrial system in Shaanxi, northern Shaanxi is accelerating the development of its energy industries. Through years of effort, the economic output and the industrial value added of Yulin and Yan'an now account for 28% and nearly 50% of the provincial total, respectively, contributing to over 20% of the province's economic growth.
In southern Shaanxi, we are prioritizing green and circular development, piloting mechanisms to realize the value of ecological products. We are vigorously developing eco-friendly industries such as special agriculture, green energy storage, tourism, healthcare, and consumer goods manufacturing. Notably, with the development of wind and solar power in northern Shaanxi, we have laid out multiple pumped storage projects in southern Shaanxi, complementing the green energy projects in the north. Additionally, the consumer goods manufacturing industry has thrived in southern Shaanxi, with sectors like selenium-rich foods and plush toys demonstrating strong job creation potential. This embodies the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. Next, we will further deepen green and circular development in southern Shaanxi, continuously promoting the unity of ecological, social, and economic benefits. Thank you.
