Inner Mongolia's Hinggan League sees impressive economic increases

A view of Arxan Resort in Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Adhering to the high-quality development strategy, Hinggan League in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region has presented an impressive economic performance in recent years.

In 2023, the league's gross domestic product reached 70.28 billion yuan ($9.68 billion), marking a 5.6 percent increase year-on-year, which underscores a robust development momentum.

Hinggan League is committed to technological innovation and green development, fostering rapid growth with new growth drivers.

Among the league's industries above designated size, the added-value of high-tech industries grew by 2.3 percent year-on-year in 2023. Moreover, the added-value of the new energy power generation industry saw a substantial leap of 23.3 percent year-on-year during the same period, accounting for 3.7 percent of the added-value of industries above designated size.

New energy investment in Hinggan League has seen a remarkable surge, propelling the growth of fixed-asset investment. In 2023, new energy investment increased by 36 percent compared to the previous year, contributing to an increase of 9 percentage points in overall fixed-asset investment. Notably, wind power investment experienced a dramatic rise of 57 percent year-on-year.

People participate in a village sporting event in Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A three-million-kilowatt wind power project in Hinggan League commenced full-capacity operations in December 2023, standing as China's largest onshore wind power project.

The league has achieved a harmonious win-win situation between ecological protection and economic development. Last year, the forest coverage and grassland vegetation coverage of the league reached 26.5 percent and 74.03 percent, respectively.

The achievements in poverty alleviation are commendable, and the standard of living for the people of Hinggan League has been continuously enhanced. Last year, all six impoverished county-level regions, along with 602 impoverished villages and gachas - a village-level administrative division - achieved poverty alleviation, lifting 105,000 people out of poverty.

In 2023, the per capita disposable income of the league's residents was 27,147 yuan, an increase of 7.6 percent year-on-year. The per capita consumption expenditure of the league's residents was 20,103 yuan, surging by 24.9 percent year-on-year, indicating a significant improvement in the consumption capacity of residents.

Tourists visit Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The dynamic development of the tourism industry has introduced a new engine for economic growth in Hinggan League. In 2023, the number of tourists and tourism revenue to the league increased by 82 percent and 130 percent from the previous year, respectively, both setting historical highs.

In the first five months of this year, the league welcomed 11.43 million tourist visits, achieving a tourism revenue of 7.76 billion yuan.