According to a report in China Daily on March 8th…
China’s northeastern province of Jilin Province is stepping up efforts to modernize its industrial base and expand renewable energy capacity as part of its strategy for economic revitalization during the 2026–2030 development period.
Provincial leaders outlined the plan during discussions at the annual session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, highlighting industrial upgrading, infrastructure expansion and the development of new growth sectors as key priorities.
Huang Qiang, Party secretary of Jilin and a deputy to the NPC, said the province aims to build a modern industrial system tailored to its regional strengths. The strategy includes upgrading traditional sectors such as automotive manufacturing and petrochemicals while expanding emerging industries including new energy, advanced equipment, new materials and pharmaceuticals.
Authorities are also planning large-scale industrial clusters in future sectors such as artificial intelligence and bio-manufacturing.
Changchun Metropolitan Area as Growth Engine
A central component of Jilin’s development strategy is the expansion of the metropolitan area centered on Changchun.
The metropolitan region currently accounts for more than half of the province’s population and nearly 70 percent of its economic output. Officials view it as a strategic engine for Jilin’s economic transformation and a key driver of broader revitalization in Northeast China.
More than 700 infrastructure and development projects have been planned to strengthen transportation links, industrial cooperation and urban services across the metropolitan area. By 2030, local authorities aim to increase the region’s economic output to about 1.35 trillion yuan ($195 billion).
Infrastructure Expansion to Support Growth
To support long-term economic development, Jilin is investing heavily in transportation and logistics infrastructure.
Several high-speed rail projects are scheduled for completion in the coming years, including routes linking Changchun with nearby cities such as Siping and Liaoyuan. New highways and upgrades to regional airports are also planned to improve mobility and connectivity across the province.
The expansion of Changchun Longjia International Airport and the relocation of Yanji Chaoyangchuan International Airport are expected to enhance aviation capacity as travel demand continues to grow.
Renewable Energy and Ice-Snow Economy
Jilin is also leveraging its natural resources to accelerate growth in renewable energy and winter tourism.
According to provincial governor Hu Yuting, the province has substantial wind and solar resources with potential capacity reaching 400 million kilowatts. During China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), newly installed wind and solar power capacity in Jilin more than doubled the total built over the previous decades.
By the end of 2025, renewable energy accounted for more than 65 percent of the province’s total installed power capacity and over half of electricity generation.
Winter tourism is another fast-growing sector. Jilin has 68 large-scale ski resorts, with several recognized as national ski tourism destinations. The province has ranked first nationwide for ski visitors for two consecutive years.
Officials are also promoting the development of a winter sports equipment industry, with domestically developed products including the Hongqi bobsled and carbon-fiber skis.
The region is preparing to host the 33rd Winter Universiade in 2027 in the cities of Changchun and Jilin, which authorities hope will further boost tourism and the local winter sports economy.
Agriculture Remains a Strategic Strength
In addition to industrial development, Jilin continues to play a critical role in China’s agricultural production.
The province is one of the country’s major grain-producing regions. During the 2021–2025 period, the government built more than 1.7 million hectares of high-standard farmland, significantly improving agricultural productivity.
In 2025, Jilin’s total grain output reached 43.58 billion kilograms, ranking fourth nationwide and reinforcing its position as a key pillar of China’s food security.