STORY: Reform, innovation reconfigure growth pattern in China's western region
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Aug. 13, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:25
LOCATION: LANZHOU/ZHONGWEI/LIJIANG, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of western region of China
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHANG YING, Person in charge of Suji Yellow River program
3. various of western region of China
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): HE XINHUA, Official in Yuhu Village, Yunnan Province

STORYLINE:

The western region of China, which accounts for about two-thirds of the country's land area, has turned into a region full of growth potential after years of deepening reform.

Over the years, a slew of reform measures have been rolled out to further unleash the growth potential of the expansive and resource-rich western region, with a focus on region-specific approaches to nurturing emerging industries and expediting industrial transformation and upgrade.

In recent years, the Lanzhou New Area in Gansu Province has significantly simplified administrative procedures, enabling more than 2,800 government service items to be handled online.

With all these efforts in place, the annual growth rate of the number of business entities in the area has been maintained at over 20 percent, and in the first half of this year, the area saw the establishment of more than 10,000 new business entities.

From 2011 to 2023, the regional GDP of the Lanzhou New Area increased from less than 500 million yuan (about 70 million U.S. dollars) to 37.5 billion yuan.

Serving as a vital ecological defense, the western region is persistently forging ahead with practical exploration of promoting ecological civilization.

With a better ecological environment, the region's tourism sector has welcomed a boom in recent years, leveraging its unique splendid landscape and culture.

Located in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China, Suji Yellow River, a cluster of China's leading luxury guesthouses, has become a sensation on the country's social media for preserving the architectural style of the original villages while at the same time implanting a fashionable and modern vacation lifestyle into the countryside.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHANG YING, Person in charge of Suji Yellow River program
"With social progress and development, we are optimistic about the lifestyle which focuses on vacation experience. We are sure the industry will have a prosperous future."

In Yunnan, the charm of rural and ecological tours has won the hearts of travelers from near and far.

Yuhu Village, in Lijiang, is one of the earliest settlements of the Naxi ethnic people and is renowned for its well-preserved traditional Naxi architecture.

A leisurely walk through the village reveals a picturesque landscape where ancient dwellings are artfully arranged, creating a harmonious blend with the snow-capped mountains and tranquil lakes.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): HE XINHUA, Official in Yuhu Village, Yunnan Province
"Now, we need to safeguard the ecological environment, preserve our ancient villages, and protect our ethnic culture, thus boosting the revitalization of the village so that the villagers can enjoy a secured life here."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lanzhou/Zhongwei/Lijiang, China.
(XHTV)