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Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Ren Zhenhe, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Gansu Provincial Committee and governor of Gansu province

Mr. Cheng Xiaobo, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Gansu Provincial Committee and executive vice governor of Gansu province

Mr. Zhang Jingang, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Gansu Provincial Committee and vice governor of Gansu province

Mr. Lei Siwei, vice governor of Gansu province

Chairperson:

Ms. Shou Xiaoli, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date: 

June 13, 2024

Shou Xiaoli:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). This is the 30th press conference in the series "Promoting High-Quality Development." Today, we have invited Mr. Ren Zhenhe, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Gansu Provincial Committee and governor of Gansu province, to brief you on accelerating the construction of a happy and beautiful Gansu and creating new development prospects for Gansu, and to take your questions. Also present today are Mr. Cheng Xiaobo, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Gansu Provincial Committee and executive vice governor of Gansu province; Mr. Zhang Jingang, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Gansu Provincial Committee and vice governor of Gansu province; and Mr. Lei Siwei, vice governor of Gansu province. Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Ren for his introduction.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you, Ms. Shou. Good morning. It's a great pleasure to brief you on Gansu's development. First, on behalf of the CPC Gansu Provincial Committee, the Gansu provincial government, and our 25 million residents, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the media and all sectors of society for your long-term interest in and support for Gansu's economic and social development.

When one mentions Gansu, Dunhuang often comes to mind. The city is not only an emblem of Gansu but also a source of national pride. Reflecting on its thousands of years of history, Dunhuang witnessed the prosperity of the ancient Silk Road. Today, it stands as a testament to Gansu's dynamic development in the new era. Gansu, a land rich in cultural heritage, imbued with revolutionary spirit and full of unique allure, is now bursting with vitality and showing broad prospects on the grand path toward Chinese modernization.

General Secretary Xi Jinping holds Gansu and its people close to his heart. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, he has visited Gansu twice, encouraging us to accelerate the development of a happy new Gansu featuring a thriving economy, beautiful landscapes, ethnic unity and social harmony. Over the years, we have kept General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions in mind and forged ahead. Building on our victory in the critical battle against poverty, we have focused on addressing the province's "three imbalances" in urban-rural development, regional development and industrial development. By firmly committing to high-quality development as the top priority in the new era, we are striving to write a remarkable chapter of prosperity and revitalization in Gansu.

In recent years, we have been dedicated to promoting economic development, with our pace of progress accelerating. In 2021, Gansu's economic output exceeded 1 trillion yuan, and since 2022, Gansu's growth rate has remained among the top nationwide for seven consecutive quarters. Our old industrial bases are being rejuvenated, with traditional industries such as petrochemicals, nonferrous metallurgy and equipment manufacturing undergoing transformation and upgrading. Emerging industries like new energy, new materials, biomedicine and data information are flourishing. Lanzhou New Area has ranked among the top 19 national-level new areas in terms of economic growth rate for seven consecutive years. Infrastructure weaknesses in sectors such as transportation and water conservancy are being addressed at a faster pace. Construction of the Pingliang-Qingyang railway, long-awaited by the people of the old revolutionary base areas in Gansu, has begun. The project of diverting water from the Taohe River to central Gansu has enabled a quarter of Gansu's population to move past the era of relying solely on the weather for water.

Over the years, we have been committed to enhancing the natural beauty of our landscapes, with the vibrant scenery growing more resplendent. The philosophy of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" has deeply resonated with us. Notably, the Gansu section of the Yellow River now sends clear water downstream, and substantial progress has been made in ecological conservation in the Qilian Mountains, leading to a remarkable green transformation. Over the past three years, we have completed 29.52 million mu (approximately 1.97 million hectares) of afforestation, ranking second nationwide in greening area in both 2022 and 2023. It was once feared that Minqin county, located in the Hexi Corridor and surrounded by the Tengger and Badain Jaran deserts on its east, west and north sides, would become the next Lop Nur. However, the people of Minqin have upheld the spirit of not bowing down to difficulties and daring to transform deserts into oases. Year after year, generation after generation, they have created a miracle of desert control and afforestation, transforming the situation from "sand encroaching, people retreating" to "green advancing, sand receding." The once dry Qingtu Lake, parched for over half a century, has now become a shimmering gem in the desert, where waves ripple peacefully and waterbirds flock gracefully.

In recent years, we have been committed to ethnic unity and have made notable progress in common development. Gansu is a multi-ethnic province, with the Dongxiang, Baoan and Yugur ethnic groups being ethnic minorities that are unique to Gansu. We have focused on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and speeding up the development of ethnic minority areas. The people of all ethnic groups in the province are tightly held together like pomegranate seeds, and are jointly embarking on a new journey of modernization. For example, Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, the first ethnic minority autonomous county in China, is known for its stunning eco-environment with green mountains and clear waters. Over the past three years, its economic growth rate has exceeded 8.6%, ranking among the top ethnic autonomous counties in the country.

In recent years, we have been committed to enhancing social harmony and as a result our people are enjoying a greater sense of happiness. About 80% of our fiscal funds are dedicated to improving people's living standards. Every year, we implement numerous livelihood projects in areas such as education, employment, elderly care and public health, ensuring they are tangible and accessible to the public. In 2023, the average disposable income of our residents increased by 7.5%, ranking second in the country. Officials at the provincial, municipal, county and township levels have paired up with orphans, severely disabled individuals and families in extreme poverty as part of the "Paired Assistance: Love in Gansu" initiative to provide them with care and support. Given the fragile ecology and frequent geological disasters, we launched a relocation project for people living in six types of areas prone to ecological and geological hazards. So far, 78,600 households, totaling 280,000 people, have been safely relocated from dangerous areas to secure and happy environments.

On this new journey, we will continue to follow the directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping, focusing on the central task of economic development and the primary goal of high-quality growth. We will seize the strategic opportunities to promote the development of the western region in the new era, work diligently and pragmatically as well as make step-by-step efforts to transform Gansu's grand blueprint for Chinese modernization into a beautiful reality.

That's all for my opening introduction. Thank you!

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you, Mr. Ren, for your introduction. We now move to the Q&A session. Please identify the media organization you represent before raising your questions.

Economic Daily:

As Governor Ren just mentioned, Gansu's economic growth rate has remained at the country's top echelon for seven consecutive quarters. What has Gansu done to promote high-quality economic development, and what is your next step forward? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you for your interest in Gansu's development. As you just mentioned, Gansu's economic growth rate is among the top in the country. This progress has been hard-won. In recent years, under the guidance of the new development philosophy, we have pursued progress while maintaining stability, made full use of policy incentives, consolidated and expanded the momentum of economic upturn and have laid the foundation and increased momentum for high-quality development. Specifically, we launched four campaigns to strengthen science and technology, and industry, as well as development of our provincial capital and counties. We focus on tapping the full potential of existing resources, introducing incremental assets, improving quality, enhancing energy and expanding overall scales.

In terms of tapping the full potential of existing resources, we fully leverage the advantages of old industrial bases, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and promote the extension, supplementation and strengthening of advantageous and leading industries. A number of "time-honored brands" are growing into "industrial trees" with solid roots and lush branches. An obvious feature is that the industry has become more dynamic with supply chains becoming longer and the number of enterprises having increased. Since the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), there has been a net increase of 1,059 industrial enterprises above the designated size.

In terms of introducing incremental assets, we have actively integrated into the unified national market, vigorously improved the business environment and consciously undertaken industrial transfer from the central and eastern regions. We have signed contracts with central SOEs for three consecutive years, and a large number of cooperation projects have been put into operation. In 2023, the total contract value of investment coming into the province exceeded one trillion yuan. Juhua Group Corporation's 41 billion yuan new materials project has been established in Yumen, the "old oil city," setting a new investment record for industrial projects in Gansu. The increasing enthusiasm for investment in Gansu reflects growing optimism from all parties.

In terms of improving quality, Gansu has gathered high-quality scientific and technological resources such as Lanzhou University and three institutes under Lanzhou Branch of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS): the Institute of Modern Physics, the Institute of Chemical Physics and the Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute. We have further advanced a campaign to strengthen science and technology, and achieved a number of major scientific and technological achievements in the fields of heavy ion physics, biomedicine as well as glaciers and permafrost. For example, the Institute of Modern Physics under CAS developed China's first carbon ion therapy system with independent intellectual property rights, which has now been put into clinical use in Gansu. This heavy ion medical device, a major national project for eliminating cancer cells, marks China's achievement as the fourth country in the world to master clinical treatment using heavy ions.

In terms of enhancing our development capacity, Gansu has 86 counties, cities and districts, all of which can serve as "growth engines" once substantially developed. We have divided the county-level regions in the province into five categories: those providing urban services, those led by industrial enterprises, those prioritizing agricultural development, those empowered by culture and tourism, and those with significant ecological functions. Based on the distinctive local conditions of these regions, we have provided guidance for their differentiated development, nurturing counties with strong agricultural capacity, profitable industrial growth, renowned cultural and tourism attractions, and improved ecological environment. In the past three years, 16 additional counties have achieved a GDP of over 10 billion yuan, bringing the total to 36.

In terms of increasing the total economic output, only by achieving effective qualitative improvements and reasonable quantitative growth can Gansu accelerate its progress and catch up with other provinces. Taking development as the foundation and key to solving all problems, we have prioritized ecological preservation and adhere to green development. We have also leveraged our comparative advantages and strived to develop related industries and projects, achieving progress every year and making significant strides every three years. In 2023, Gansu's GDP reached 1.18 trillion yuan, which was 2.2 times that of 2012. This represents not only a quantitative increase and leapfrog achievement, but also a qualitative transformation and improvement. In addition, this progress also significantly lifts our spirits. We are confident that we will achieve another major breakthrough by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

Moving forward, we will redouble our efforts in three aspects. First, we will seize development opportunities. We will fully implement major national strategies, such as promoting the large-scale development of the western region in the new era. We will position ourselves well, further enhance our strength, and effectively translate national policies into tangible development results. Second, we will strengthen our development capacity. We will revitalize our old industrial bases, foster new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions, and expedite the construction of a modern industrial system with distinctive local characteristics in Gansu, in a bid to ensure sound and steady high-quality development. Third, we will contribute our part to the nation's overall development. We will strengthen our capabilities to meet the needs of the country, and effectively demonstrate Gansu's responsibilities, achievements and strengths in resources, energy supply, food security and ecological development.

Thank you.

CRNTT:

Gansu boasts rich cultural and tourism resources, with places like the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and the Jiayuguan section of the Great Wall being popular destinations for tourists. Since March, Tianshui malatang, a numbing-spicy hotpot, has taken the country by storm, resulting in the continued popularity of Gansu's cultural and tourism sector. Looking ahead, what aspects will Gansu focus on to promote the high-quality development of this sector? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you. This is a very good question, and you have highlighted one of the most popular sectors in Gansu nowadays. My colleague Mr. Zhang will answer this question.

Zhang Jingang:

Thank you for your interest in Gansu's cultural and tourism sector. This year, Tianshui malatang became extremely popular and attracted nationwide attention. It is fair to say that the appeal of malatang starts with its flavor, and it is inspired by Gansu's beautiful scenery and shaped by the local culture. The cuisine is a microcosm of Gansu's unique food culture.

Here, I would like to describe Gansu using two common phrases. The first phrase is: "Throughout 5,000 years of history, Gansu is exceptional." Gansu is an important birthplace of the Chinese nation and civilization. In Gansu, you can explore the origins of civilization through such legendary stories as Fuxi creating the heaven by drawing the first line of the Qian trigram, Zhang Qian exploring the Western Regions, and Zhuge Liang's six campaigns from Mount Qishan. You can also experience its cultural richness by delving into the profound Dunhuang culture, enjoying the beautiful and engaging "Flower Rains Along the Silk Road" dance drama, and reading the enlightening Duzhe magazine. The second phrase is: "Spanning 3,000 li from east to west, Gansu is extraordinary." Characterized by its long and narrow terrain, Gansu spans more than 1,600 kilometers from east to west. It boasts all types of landforms except oceans, islands and reefs. It is said that four-fifths of China's scenery can be seen here in Gansu.

Looking ahead, we will make continuous efforts in three aspects to build our resource-rich province into one strong in culture and tourism.

First, we will make full use of its cultural and tourism resources. Gansu ranks fifth in the country in terms of richness of culture resources and is home to seven UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites. We insist on employing the most advanced development methods to develop our world-class cultural and tourism resources, and profoundly explore their connotations and values of the times. For example, the "Digital Dunhuang" website that we are promoting aims to extend the reach of the cultural heritage beyond its original physical location, thereby allowing more tourists to experience the unique charm of the cultural relics and heritage left by our ancestors.

Second, we will further diversify business forms. Gansu has made significant efforts in this regard. For example, Kongtong Mountain in Pingliang, renowned as the most sacred Taoist mountain in China, not only serves as a scenic spot, but also as a resort for leisure activities and health care services. In recent years, it has developed many business forms under the "culture and tourism plus" framework. We will continue to deepen the integrated development of the cultural and tourism sectors, keep innovating business forms related to tourism, and attract more people to visit Gansu to experience its diverse and high-quality tourism offerings.

Third, we will work to boost consumption. During this year's Spring Festival holiday, Guazhou, Yumen and other areas were unexpectedly hit by snow and sandstorms, leaving many tourists stranded. However, they found solace and comfort in the local community, and the hospitality of Guazhou people attracted significant attention online. Gansu people are known for their simplicity, honesty, warmth and hospitality, and always offer the best to their guests. We must cultivate and pass on these qualities, making Gansu's cultural and tourism industry more vibrant and welcoming, so visitors can come with high expectations and leave satisfied.

In a few days, Gansu will host the annual China Public Fuxi Memorial Ceremony. Moreover, in the second half of the year, we will hold the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo. We warmly welcome friends from across the country to visit Gansu. Begin your journey with a bowl of Tianshui malatang and savor authentic Lanzhou beef noodles, and experience the rich and diverse flavors of Gansu. Thank you.

Phoenix TV:

Mr. Ren, nice to see you again. The 6.2-magnitude earthquake in Jishishan late last year was highly concerning. How is the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction work progressing in Gansu half a year later? And what plans do you have for the future? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you for your concern for the people affected by the earthquake in Jishishan. I would like to invite Mr. Cheng to answer this question.

Cheng Xiaobo:

After the earthquake, with the deep care of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, aid from all over the country quickly arrived in the disaster-affected areas. We completed emergency rescue operations in a very short time and resettled the affected people. During that time, the profound love and support from all corners of the country converged upon Gansu. The scenes of compassion and support were deeply moving and heartwarming. Let me now provide an overview of the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the recovery and reconstruction of Jishishan county. Under the support of various national ministries and commissions, the National Development and Reform Commission took the lead in drafting the overall reconstruction plan, and Gansu province also formulated special plans and action plans. According to the overall plan, the entire reconstruction will be completed in three years. The main tasks include: first, rebuilding and repairing residential housing to ensure safe living conditions for the people; second, developing infrastructure including for transportation, water conservancy, electricity and communications to make travel and daily life more convenient; third, enhancing public services like education and healthcare to make schooling and medical treatment more accessible; and fourth, promoting industries with local features to increase people's incomes and their quality of life.

This year, in addition to coordinating post-disaster reconstruction efforts, we are focused on two key objectives. First, we will ensure that people relocated to the resettlement sites move into their new homes before Oct. 1, so that those affected can celebrate National Day in their safe and comfortable new houses; second, we will ensure that newly built schools are put into use before Sept. 1, so that children can start the new semester in bright and spacious classrooms.

I would like to introduce two guiding principles in our planning and construction process. First, we fully respect the people's wishes. For example, in terms of house design, we have extensively gathered feedback from residents and offered seven types of apartment and four types of single-story houses to provide ample choices. Second, we ensure the quality of the construction. This is both our goal and bottom line for reconstruction. We aim to make the post-disaster reconstruction projects into high-quality and reliable projects that win the hearts of the people.

Over the past six months, we have advanced the reconstruction work in the disaster-affected areas as quickly as possible. If you visit Jishishan county, you can see bustling construction sites, with vehicles constantly shuttling back and forth, and rows of towering cranes. It can be said that every brick, tile, road and house in the disaster-affected area reflects the support and care from all sectors of society. This is also the source of our confidence to complete the task of reconstruction on time and to a high standard. We firmly believe that with the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the robust support of all sectors of society, the dedicated attention of the media, and the hard work and self-reliance of local officials and residents, the areas affected by the earthquake will be turned into an even more beautiful home. Thank you.

CCTV:

Gansu was once the province with the most challenging poverty alleviation tasks in the country. Having won the battle against poverty, how will Gansu consolidate its achievements and prevent a large-scale return to poverty? What measures will be taken to promote comprehensive rural revitalization? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you for your questions. The issues you raised are very important for Gansu. In the past, Gansu was known as a "place of great hardships." After winning the unprecedented battle against poverty, Gansu is no longer a place of bitter hardships, but a land of happiness.

In recent years, we have firmly committed to the bottom-line task of preventing a large-scale return to poverty. On one hand, we have focused on consolidating and expanding our achievements, and on the other hand, we have promoted comprehensive rural revitalization. We continue to give a leg up to people who have been lifted out of poverty. We adhere to the use of development methods to consolidate and expand the hard-won achievements of poverty alleviation and accelerate the transformation of Gansu from a large agricultural province to a strong agricultural province. The per capita disposable income in rural areas that have been lifted out of poverty in the province increased from 9,385 yuan in 2020 to 12,107 yuan in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. Next, we will focus on two areas:

In consolidating and expanding our achievements, we will make good use of "two forces." The first is to stimulate internal force. We will ensure that although absolute poverty has been eliminated, all the related responsibilities, policies, support and oversights remain in place. We will encourage and guide people who have just shaken off poverty to increase their incomes through employment, industry and entrepreneurship, thereby enhancing their internal driving force for self-development. We will innovate and improve the "Gansu One-Click Poverty Reporting" mechanism, using digital means to strengthen dynamic monitoring to prevent people from falling back into poverty, and promptly identify, intervene and assist those prone to returning to poverty. The other is to make good use of external force. We will deepen cooperation between eastern and western regions and advance targeted assistance from central departments and organizations. With the support of Tianjin, Shandong and 37 central departments and organizations, we will strengthen industrial assistance, labor cooperation, joint project construction and talent exchange, jointly writing a new chapter of east-west cooperation in the new era.

In terms of comprehensive rural revitalization, we will focus on painting "two pictures." One is a picture of building a harmonious and beautiful countryside. We will learn from and apply the experience of the Green Rural Revival Program in Zhejiang province and solidly carry out the creation of a harmonious and beautiful countryside with the main features of "beautiful villages, thriving industries, good governance, harmonious atmosphere, prosperous people and strong collectives." We will certify around 100 provincial-level harmonious and beautiful villages each year through a region-specific and category-based approach, highlighting idyllic plains, beautiful mountain villages, poetic wetlands, unique Tibetan ethnic areas on the plateau, and traditional villages rich in culture. Together we will paint a picture of a beautiful Gansu for all regions to prosper individually and collectively. The other is a picture of fostering industries with local features. As for Gansu's agriculture, the brand "Ganwei" (Honest Gansu, Authentic Flavor) has topped the China Regional Agricultural Brand Influence Index for three consecutive years. This is perhaps unexpected but also reasonable: First, in terms of growing vegetables in the Gobi Desert, Gansu has two of China's top 10 vegetable bases, namely Zhangye and Lanzhou, with the largest highland summer vegetable planting area and production in the country. Second, corn seed production is significant, with Gansu being the largest corn seed production base in the country, producing one out of every two corn seeds in China. Third, its geo-authentic medicinal materials are well-known, with Gansu being called a "natural pharmacy" and "thousand-year-old medicinal hometown." The province has the largest area and production of cultivated Chinese medicinal materials in the country, and is China’s only comprehensive pilot zone for traditional Chinese medicine industry development. To ensure that these resources from Gansu fetch good prices and enrich the local people, we will comprehensively strengthen the construction of a strong agricultural province, deeply develop local specialty products, cultivate and strengthen one or two leading industries in each county, leverage specialty brands, extend industrial chains, and increase added value, so that "Ganwei" agricultural products can sell well domestically and globally.

Thank you.

Science and Technology Daily:

We know that Gansu has rich solar and wind energy resources. How will Gansu develop the new energy industry? And how does Gansu plan to optimize the development and utilization of these resources? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you for your questions. New energy is both an advantage and a characteristic of Gansu. I would like to invite my colleague Mr. Cheng to answer these questions.

Cheng Xiaobo:

As the reporter just mentioned, Gansu is indeed a major province in terms of wind and solar resources. Our technologically exploitable development in solar and wind energy both ranks among the top in the country. Especially since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we have seized various policy opportunities for national green transformation, riding on the back of rich clean energy resources to soar to new heights, and promoting the vigorous development of the new energy industry. Currently, the total installed capacity of new energy in the province exceeds 56 million kilowatts, accounting for more than 60% of the total installed capacity of electricity, a proportion ranking second in the country. The regions receiving power from Gansu have already expanded to 25 provinces, with Gansu exporting more than 52 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, nearly half of which is new energy. The Hexi Corridor was once a place of desolation and oblivion. Now it is thriving, undergoing transformation, and showing great potential for further developing wind and solar energy. 

Gansu has experienced rapid development in the new energy sector, and still has huge potential to realize in the future. Next, we will focus on building an important national base for new energy and new energy equipment manufacturing, transforming the province from a large producer of wind and solar energy to a strong competitor in the sector. We will continue to make efforts in four key areas:

First, to expand the scale. We will focus on building large bases in sandy, rocky and barren areas, accelerating the construction of various wind and solar power projects at all levels. We aim to exceed 80 million kilowatts of installed new energy capacity by the end of next year, when the 14th Five-Year Plan period will complete, as well as 130 million kilowatts by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. What does 130 million kilowatts mean? It's equivalent to six Three Gorges Dam.

Second, to open channels. With a large scale and increased electricity generation, building outbound transmission channels has become a key issue. Our first channel is the Jiuquan-Hunan ultra-high-voltage direct current (UHVDC) project, completed in 2017. The second channel is the Gansu-Shandong project, which started construction last year and will be completed next year. The third channel is the Gansu-Zhejiang project. With preparatory work already completed, construction is expected to be approved soon. The fourth channel is the Gansu-Sichuan project, which is also expected to start construction by the end of this year. By the midterm of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, these four UHV lines will all be operational, allowing Gansu to send at least 160 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity nationwide, which is equivalent to the current annual electricity consumption of the entire province.

Third, to develop industries. We will focus on building an industrial development structure, centering around Jiuquan and Jiayuguan, coordinating Zhangye, Wuwei, and Jinchang, and boosting cooperation among cities and prefectures east of Yellow River, to leverage multiple layers of driving forces. A 100-billion-yuan industrial cluster will be created to enable coordinated development of wind and solar power industrial chain and related industries. 

Fourth, to promote consumption. We need to make full and effective use of locally generated electricity within the province itself, which requires vigorously developing local industries as well as developing peak-shaving power sources and new ways of storing energy, particularly integrating the power grid with the computing network. We aim to build a national hub for the integrated computing power network, namely the Qingyang data center in Gansu, to create a national computing power assurance base. In short, we will not only develop the new energy industry to convert resource advantages into economic advantages but will also ensure that the wind and solar energy of Gansu illuminates thousands of households, contributing more to the security of the national energy supply and demonstrating Gansu's commitment. Thank you.

The Paper:

Gansu is vast and of significant ecological importance, but its natural conditions are complex with the ecological environment being relatively fragile. My question is what measures has Gansu taken to promote ecological progress? How can it further solidify its ecological security barrier? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you for your concern about the ecological progress in Gansu. I will let my colleague, Mr. Lei, answer this question.

Lei Siwei:

Thank you for your interest in Gansu's ecological civilization construction. Gansu has many ecological symbols, which can primarily be summarized by the elements of mountains, water and soil. The mountains refer to the Qilian Mountains, which nourishes the oases of the Hexi Corridor and blocks the convergence and southward invasion of the Tengger, Badain Jaran and Kumtag deserts. The water refers to the Yellow River, which originates in Qinghai and flows through Gansu, forming the world-renowned First Bend of the Yellow River in Maqu County, Gannan. The soil refers to the Loess Plateau, which covers one quarter of the province's area.

In recent years, Gansu has treated ecological and environmental protection as a paramount task, striving to create a beautiful and picturesque Gansu. We are dedicated to safeguarding the Yellow River. By fully implementing the national strategy for the Yellow River, we have initiated major ecological projects such as water source conservation, water and soil conservation, and water saving and conservancy. We have steadily advanced the integrated protection and restoration of mountain, water, forest, farmland, grassland, and desert ecosystems in the water source conservation area of the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Gannan. The water quality of the sections of the Yellow River flowing out of the province has remained at Class II for eight consecutive years. The beauty shared among the surrounding regions of the Yellow River basin has become a splendid calling card for Gansu Province. We are dedicated to protecting the green, ecological environment. By deeply learning from the lessons of ecological damage in the Qilian Mountains of Gansu, we remain constantly vigilant, ensuring we never forget past mistakes. We have established a mechanism for regular supervision and monitoring of protection across all domains. The vegetation index of the Qilian Mountains nature reserve has increased by 10.88%. Nearly 80% of Gansu's land area is included in the shelterbelt program in northeast, north, and northwest China. We are fully committed to fighting critical battles along the Hexi Corridor and the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, as well as the challenges posed by the Yellow River's Ji-shaped bend. The first batch of key projects under the shelterbelt program in northeast, north and northwest China have been launched, aiming to reclaim over 67% of treatable desertified land in the province by 2030. We are fully committed to one battle. We are taking further steps to prevent and control pollution, conducting clean air actions, taking more robust and comprehensive measures to improve river basins and water quality control, and implementing measures to prevent and control soil pollution at its source. The provincial capital of Gansu, Lanzhou, has evolved from a city once invisible from satellites to a city visible under the blue sky.

Gansu Province holds significant ecological importance, but its ecological foundation is also highly fragile. We will continue to carry forward the contemporary Yugong spirit of the three generations of "six old men" at Babusha Forest Farm, who dedicated themselves to afforestation and desert control. We treat the environment like it is our lives and protect the environment like we protect our eyes. We aim to make the skies bluer, the land greener, waters clearer and the mountains and rivers more beautiful across the Loess Plateau. By fortifying the ecological security barrier in western China, we strive to make Gansu into the "poetry and faraway place" that people aspire to.

Thank you.

Zhonghongwang.com:

Gansu is a traditional old industrial base facing the arduous task of shifting the growth model and adjusting economic structure. How is Gansu promoting the transformation and upgrading of the old industrial base? What measures have been taken? How effective are the measures? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you for your concern and attention to Gansu's old industrial base. As an important old industrial base in China, Gansu has experienced a period of passionate development during the "First Five-Year Plan," "Second Five-Year Plan" and the era of "the Third Front" construction after the founding of the People's Republic of China. It witnessed the birth of several national firsts, such as the country's first refined oil products, the first synthetic rubber and the first large-scale oil drilling rig. These achievements laid a relatively solid foundation for its industrial development. In recent years, we have focused on supporting the development of leading companies, enhancing supply chains and fostering industrial clusters to promote the growth of traditional industries and the emergence of new industries. Our efforts have been directed towards building a modern industrial system with distinctive characteristics of Gansu province. The growth rate of the added value of industrial enterprises above designated size in the province has remained above 6% for five consecutive years, and the growth rate of industrial investment has ranked among the top in the country for three consecutive years. The old industrial base is experiencing a renaissance, rejuvenating with vitality and vigor.

In terms of supporting the development of leading companies, we implement approximately 300 high-end, intelligent and green transformation projects on a rolling basis each year. Through measures, such as equipment upgrades, technological innovation, energy conservation and emissions reduction, digital transformation and more, we continuously strive to enhance the industrial structure and development capacity. Currently, Gansu ranks third in the world in nickel output and fifth in cobalt output. You might also be surprised to learn that Gansu has high-end enterprises in the industrial chain of the chip sector, with chip packaging and testing technologies reaching world-leading levels.

In terms of promoting the development of industrial chains, we have strengthened weak links, given full play to advantages, upgraded traditional industries as well as boosted emerging industries. We have fully implemented the "industrial chain chief" scheme, focusing on 14 key industrial chains and cultivating 114 chain-leader enterprises in three years. According to the market theory of "raw material should be made into material, material should be made into tools, and tools should be functional," we have taken the chain-leader enterprises as the main body, targeted the missing sectors in industrial chains, broken through bottleneck technologies and have developed high value-added key products. By doing so, technological achievements have quickly turned into products; products have helped to form industries and industries are expected to establish industrial chains.

In terms of boosting the development of industrial clusters, we have leveraged collective strengths to expand and extend various industrial parks, gathering production factors, projects and industries into clusters. We have built three advanced manufacturing industrial clusters at the national level in petrochemical engineering, non-ferrous metallurgy and new energy and new energy equipment manufacturing. Jiuquan city in Gansu has become the largest on land wind power equipment manufacturing base in China.

Gansu province was strong in industries in the past, and will surely regain its development momentum in the future. We will propel industrial innovation through sci-tech creation, advance the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries like petrochemical engineering and non-ferrous metallurgy, drive emerging industries such as new energy, new materials, biomedicine and data information as well as create a layout for future industries, including artificial intelligence and quantum technology. We will accelerate the development of new quality productive forces in line with local realities and, through "innovation" and "high quality," make industries strong engines for the province's overall development.

Thank you.

China Daily:

We all know that Gansu is a province with large mineral resources, and its reserves of many minerals rank first in the country. What has Gansu done in the exploration and development of mineral resources? What are the next steps being considered? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you for your interest in the development and utilization of mineral resources in Gansu. Gansu is a province rich in mineral resources. We are capable to make contributions to foster a unified national market as well as a new development dynamic with the domestic economy as the mainstay, with the domestic economy and international engagement both providing mutual reinforcement. My colleague Mr. Lei will answer your questions.

Lei Siwei:

Thank you for your questions. Just as Mr. Ren mentioned, Gansu is a treasure house of energy and resources, being well-known as the "hometown of non-ferrous metals" across the country. At present, more than 190 kinds of minerals have been discovered in the province, 134 kinds of which have been identified with reserves. Among them, the reserves of 12 kinds of mineral resources, such as nickel, cobalt and platinum, rank first in the country. Each kind of mineral has the potential and prospect to foster an industrial chain and even drive a large-scale industry. In recent years, we have made full use of Gansu's capabilities to comprehensively improve the quality of exploration, development and supply of mineral resources to meet the needs of the country. While promoting our own high-quality development, we have actively contributed to the nation's overall development.

All efforts have been made to discover as many minerals in the province as we can. We have vigorously carried out a new round of strategic campaign on mineral exploration, implementing it in a scientific and coordinated manner. Since the 14th Five-Year Plan started in 2021, Gansu's cumulative investment in geological exploration has ranked among the top in the country. We formed a mineral exploration structure in the province that is led by fiscal funds and is widely participated in with broad social capital. For example, currently identified reserves of coal resources in Gansu rank sixth in the country, with the coal output in 2023 nearly double compared to three years ago.

We try our best to fully utilize all the resources that have been found. We have established a normalized mechanism for the allocation of mining rights, promoted transformation and have increased revenue, so as to attract more companies to participate in the exploration and development of mineral resources. Thanks to market means and efficient resource allocation, an industrial cluster in mining development has been created covering all links related to prospecting, transferring, mining and utilization, which has transformed resource advantages into economic and development advantages to the greatest extent. At present, the scale and intensiveness of mining in the province have been significantly improved, and the structure of resource development and utilization has been further optimized. The mining economy has gradually become a powerful support to regional development.

Simultaneously, we are committed to green development. We are better coordinating our efforts in exploring mines and protecting the environment, consistently applying the concept of green development throughout the whole process of mineral exploration and development. We promote the application of green exploration technologies, apply green mining techniques and enhance greening efforts in mining areas. We have taken the lead in establishing a system of green mine standards nationwide. It is expected that 90% of large mines and 80% of medium-sized mines in the province will meet the standards for green mining by 2028.

In the next step, we will implement the new development philosophy in a complete, accurate and comprehensive manner. With the goal of enhancing our capacity to ensure mineral resource security, we will focus on the overall situation, keep an eye on key minerals, and continuously promote a new round of strategic actions to make breakthroughs in mineral exploration. We will advance our efforts in the exploration, development and production of important energy and mineral resources. Through more policy support, technology application and flexible mechanisms, we aim to promote the high-quality development of the mining industry with more efforts and make greater contributions to ensuring the security of national energy and resources. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Please continue with your questions. There are two more reporters raising their hands. We have our last two questions.

N Videos at Southern Metropolis Daily:

It's graduation season again. We have noticed that Gansu for consecutive years has issued policies to support college graduates in finding employment at the grassroots level and in enterprises. May I ask what other practical and effective actions have been taken in promoting employment? What are their results? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you for your interest in our current employment efforts. Employment is the most basic component of the people's wellbeing. It is also a top priority of our work. Mr. Zhang Jingang is in charge of this work. I invite him to answer.

Zhang Jingang:

Thank you for your question. Employment is one of the most important tasks for the provincial Party committee and the provincial government. As Mr. Ren mentioned earlier, employment is the most basic component of the people's wellbeing, concerning the country's development and the people's life and happiness. In recent years, employment in Gansu has overall shown growing trends, with more than 300,000 new jobs created annually. This is an assured figure that can only increase and is not allowed to decrease. We have mainly done three aspects of work.

First, we have built platforms. That is, we have made every effort to stabilize and expand job positions, providing stages and platforms for entrepreneurship. In this regard, we have implemented an action plan to serve over 1,000 enterprises that have maintained job demand, providing support, such as financial assistance and services that protect their rights, to encourage them to offer more jobs. For example, the "Longyuan Employment Loan" service precisely guarantees financing needs of enterprises that create a number of jobs, maintain stable work positions and comply with employment regulations. It focuses on supporting the real economy and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in order to stabilize and expand employment. In the past two years, it has issued loans to more than 2,400 enterprises, totaling nearly 5 billion yuan.

Second, we have built bridges between jobseekers and enterprises. We take various measures to "build bridges and pave roads" in order to better match job supply and demand. In this regard, except for carrying out traditional activities, such as vocational skills training, entrepreneurship and innovation competitions, we have also explored some distinctive events based on our own conditions. For example, since 2022 we have launched livestream events, inviting over 430 officials from human resources and social security departments to interpret policies and promote jobs. Such efforts have provided nearly 2 million job opportunities.

Another aspect is that we have expanded employment channels. We make every effort to stabilize and expand employment among key groups, hence promoting overall, high-quality, and sufficient employment. For example, in terms of graduate employment, we support 10,000 unemployed graduates to find employment at the grassroots level each year, which has been one of our top 10 tasks to improve the people's wellbeing for 15 consecutive years. Our efforts aim to guide them to work at the grassroots level and in enterprises. For those who have been lifted out of poverty, we have enabled them to find employment near their homes — in rural factories or through public welfare employment programs.

Next, we will make greater efforts to carry out our employment priority strategy, fully implement policies to reduce burdens, stabilize jobs and expand employment, enhance the role of industries to drive employment, and expand employment channels. We will continuously promote employment among key groups, and work to address labor shortages in certain sectors in order to better meet employment market demands. We will ensure that those who need jobs can find them, make it easier for enterprises to recruit workers, and continuously enhance citizens' sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security.

Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

The last question, please.

The Poster News APP:

Gansu has served as a strategic gateway and important trade hub on the Silk Road since ancient times. How will the vibrant landscape of Gansu be depicted in the future development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you for your question. The BRI presents Gansu with its greatest opportunity. As we all know, Gansu has embraced openness throughout its history. The Hexi Corridor is a major channel open to the west, while the ancient Silk Road stretched over 1,600 kilometers through Gansu, accounting for one-fifth of its total length. Some say that Xinjiang is too far away, but I say that it is not Xinjiang that is too far away, it is Gansu that is too long. Since the Han and Tang dynasties, goods from the East and West have been distributed and circulated in Gansu. This led to a seamless integration and fusion of Eastern and Western cultures within the province, creating a situation whereby envoys and merchants were constantly crossing paths, and trade flourished.

In recent years, we have seized the greatest opportunity brought by the BRI, actively integrated into and served the new development paradigm of "dual circulation," which takes the domestic market as the mainstay while allowing domestic and international markets to reinforce each other, and accelerated the construction of a new open pattern that takes into account both internal and external factors, integrates land and sea, and is westward-oriented and multi-pronged. At present, a total of 21 international freight train routes have been opened and put into operation, covering more than 20 countries and regions in Europe, Asia, Africa and elsewhere. Gansu's "steel camel caravans" are fully loaded with goods and frequently travel between BRI partner countries, and the total value of imports and exports to BRI partner countries accounts for more than 70% of Gansu's total foreign trade. In recent years, Gansu's agricultural product exports have made significant breakthroughs every year. Unique agricultural products from Gansu, such as highland summer vegetables, Lanzhou lily bulbs, Jingning apples, Pingliang red cattle, Dingxi wide noodles and Longnan olive oil have not only gained popularity domestically, but have also crossed the oceans and been served on tables overseas.

Next, we will be guided by the eight major measures for supporting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and focus on the following three aspects. In terms of strengthening channels, we will actively integrate into the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, vigorously promote the construction of railways, highways and airports, expand the hub functions of international land ports and airports, and actively build the Air Silk Road. In terms of expanding foreign trade, we will carry out four major actions to cultivate foreign trade markets, improve new foreign trade business forms, build foreign trade bases and expand foreign trade products. We will also vigorously expand the markets of the Belt and Road partner countries and RCEP countries, expand exports of specialty products, continue to expand the scale of processing trade and trade in services, encourage enterprises to go out and explore overseas markets, and improve the quality and effectiveness of international freight trains. In terms of promoting cooperation, we will deepen exchanges and cooperation with Belt and Road partner countries in the fields of sci-tech innovation, digital development, cultural tourism, medical health and ecological protection, accelerate the construction of Dunhuang studies and world cultural heritage protection models, hold the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo and China Lanzhou Investment and Trade Fair, expand people-to-people exchanges and friendly interactions, open our arms wider to embrace the "greatest opportunity," and present Gansu to the world to let the world know Gansu.

Friends from the media, most people have the impression that Gansu is far away. What I want to say here is that Gansu is not actually that far away. If you visit Gansu, taking the provincial capital Lanzhou as an example, it takes less than one hour by plane from Xi'an, Yinchuan, Chengdu, Chongqing and other surrounding cities, and only two hours from major domestic cities such as Beijing, Nanjing, Wuhan and Zhengzhou. Even provincial capitals such as Harbin, Guangzhou and Fuzhou, which are considered to be farther away, can be reached in just three hours. We welcome everyone to visit Gansu, appreciate the magnificence of the Loess Plateau, the vast grasslands, the boundless rocky areas, and the pure glaciers, experience the profoundness of Chinese civilization, and the diverse charm of Gansu.

We are waiting for you in Gansu. Gansu welcomes you. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you, Mr. Ren, all of the speakers, and all of the journalists taking part today. Today's briefing is hereby concluded. Goodbye.

Translated and edited by Xu Xiaoxuan, Guo Yiming, Zhu Bochen, Cui Can, Mi Xingang, Xiang Bin, Liu Caiyi, Lin Liyao, Wang Ziteng, Yan Bin, Wang qian, Ma Yujia, Zhang Junmian, Zhou Jing, Li Xiao, Liu Sitong, Huang Shan, Wang Yiming, Wang Wei, Li Huiru, David Ball, and Rochelle Beiersdorfer. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.