Leadership Insights | Xi's Stories: Ningxia-New Practices of Local Governments in the New Era

To accelerate the building of a new Ningxia with a prosperous economy, ethnic unity, beautiful environment and well-off people

The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has a unique geographical environment and resource endowment, and is known as an “Oasis in the Frontier" with beauty comparative to that of the Jiangnan region (in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River). In recent years, Ningxia has adhered to the path of putting ecological progress and green development first, and taken active action to build a modern industrial system that reflects its own advantages, create a demonstration area for the sense of community of the Chinese nation, and write a chapter of Chinese modernization in Ningxia, achieving remarkable results.

In 2023, the annual GDP of Ningxia reached 531.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.6%, and the growth rate ranked fifth around China.

Ningxia has ranked among the first tier in the country for seven consecutive quarters in terms of economic growth, and its per capita GDP exceeded 70,000 yuan for the first time, both reaching a historical high.

1,313 key projects were implemented in the autonomous region, completing investments totaling 156.7 billion yuan.

The "Ningxia-to-Hunan Electricity Transmission" project, known as the largest industrial investment in Ningxia's history, was launched. 

More than 700 events were held, such as the National Travel Agents Conference, the China Wheaten Food Expo, and the Ningxia Food and Culture Festival.

The autonomous region allotted 300 million yuan of fiscal funds to promote consumption, stimulating more than 6 billion yuan of social funds.

The number of tourists and tourism revenue increased by 80% and 114%, respectively, the highest growth rate in history. 

Several national and provincial water network pilot areas, the national digital twin water conservancy computing power hub, and China's first integrated irrigation area measurement and control testing base were built in Ningxia. 

The World Irrigation Engineering Heritage Exhibition Center was completed. 

Ningxia had comprehensively launched the ecological conservation project in the π-shaped bend of the Yellow River, completing afforestation, grass planting and desertification control of 3.8 million mu. 

It also built 172 green industrial parks, factories, mines and power generation parks. 

Ningxia took the lead in the country to achieve full coverage of national unity and progress demonstration cities and counties (districts), 

built 50 new beautiful and livable villages, and upgraded 4,670 kilometers of rural roads. 

All natural villages with more than 20 households had access to hardened roads, and the tap water penetration rate in rural areas reached 97%.

The "Employment and Entrepreneurship Promotion Year" was launched in an all-round way, and 17,000 entrepreneurial entities were cultivated. 

More than 2 billion yuan of entrepreneurial loans and job stabilization subsidies were issued, and more than 1.3 million jobs had been stabilized.

(Source: Ningxia Municipal Government Work Report 2024)

In Ningxia, the people of all ethnic groups have joined hands and worked hard to move forward, opening a new journey of rapid economic development, ecological livability, and ethnic unity. They are implementing the concept of green development with practical actions and contributing to the prosperity and social stability of Ningxia. Looking ahead, Ningxia will continue to leverage its own advantages to unswervingly promote comprehensive green transformation and high-quality development of the economy and society, and stride towards a better future.