Jia Qinglin
Heilongjiang is part of northeast China (Manchuria), the traditional base of industry for the People’s Republic of China. Industry is focused upon coal, petroleum, lumber, machinery, and food. Due to its location, Heilongjiang is also an important gateway for trade with Russia.
Heilongjiang possesses the country’s largest forest zone, with a total area of 18.8 million hectares.
In contrast, it has rich coal reserves and electricity generation capacity in its power zone. The area includes the resource-rich cities Mudanjiang, Jiamusi, Jixi, Qitaihe, Shuangyashan and Hegang. The zone has 92% of the coal in the province.
Top Chinese political adviser, Jia Qinglin, on a visit there urged new social and economic development. This fits in with the government’s country’s strategy to revitalize the old industrial base.
Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made this known during an inspection tour of Heilongjiang. He visited local farms, enterprises and research institutes.
He said Heilongjiang, the country’s largest production base of commodity grain, should make further efforts on grain production, by increasing agricultural input and infrastructure construction.
In addition, the province should promote the development of agricultural science and technology, and further arouse farmers’ initiatives for farming.
Meanwhile, Heilongjiang, as one of China’s important industrial bases, should encourage its equipment manufacturing industry.
Jia Qinglin, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, showed great concern regarding local ethnic minorities’ lives, saying the government should continue to help them lead harmonious and happy lives.
Source: English People’s Daily Online