Nigeria Times

By Li Rui, People’s Daily

Recently, China sent a Gravity-1 carrier rocket into space from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China’s Shandong province, placing three satellites into their designated orbits. This launch exemplifies the growing momentum of China’s emerging commercial space sector, which is contributing significantly to the country’s space exploration capabilities.

The global competition in commercial spaceflight is intensifying. According to projections, the scale of China’s commercial space market is expected to exceed 2.5 trillion yuan ($351.76 billion) this year. Through a strategic collaboration between the government and private enterprises, China is achieving a dynamic synergy that is accelerating technological advancements, reducing costs, and expanding the range of applications within its space industry. As a result, China’s space industry is gaining more visibility and vibrancy on the global stage.

China’s development of “space infrastructure” is advancing steadily, especially as the deployment of low-orbit satellite internet networks enters a phase of large-scale constellation expansion. However, the country faces a prominent challenge: the demand for satellite launches now exceeds the available capacity of traditional rockets. Relying solely on traditional rockets is far from sufficient to meet these growing needs.

In this context, the development of commercial space initiatives is essential to providing the necessary launch capacity for widespread space-based network deployment. This year, a new generation of commercial rockets, including the Zhuque-3, Tianlong-3, and Gravity-2, are advancing according to schedule with design, testing, and launch activities. These new launch vehicles will effectively alleviate the strain on satellite launch resources and bolster the development of China’s national satellite internet infrastructure.

Commercial spaceflight not only increases the frequency of launch opportunities but also opens up a broader range of technological possibilities. Unlike state-run space enterprises, private commercial companies are more agile and adaptable. 

For example, the methalox engine independently developed by Chinese commercial rocket firm LandSpace has drawn global attention for its cost-effectiveness, clean propulsion, and reusability. Similarly, Chinese aerospace company Galactic Energy has significantly reduced rocket engine manufacturing costs through 3D printing. 

Fueled by market-driven mechanisms and following a model of “small steps, rapid iterations,” commercial space enterprises have gained the favor of numerous research institutions. These companies serve as a strong complement to state-run space organizations, further advancing China’s space exploration capabilities.

As a dynamic sector driving the future of technological innovation, commercial spaceflight holds vast market potential. More than 10 provinces across China have introduced specific policies to support the development of the commercial space sector, fostering a wave of specialized and innovative companies focused on rocket development and satellite manufacturing. These initiatives have led to the creation of industrial clusters and a rapidly expanding “space economy” ecosystem. 

For instance, Beijing is developing a regional industrial layout with rocket production in the south and satellite manufacturing in the north, while Shanghai aims to scale its space industry to hundreds of billions of yuan. Additionally, the aerospace industrial park Wuxi, east China’s Jiangsu province, has brought together more than 120 enterprises above the designated size, fueling growth and innovation.

As the commercial space sector shifts from isolated efforts to more integrated, clustered development, an autonomous, resilient, and competitive industrial ecosystem is taking shape, becoming a significant driver of economic growth and technological advancement in space.

Today, commercial spaceflight not only serves national missions but is also expanding its innovation to meet everyday needs. Applications such as satellite remote sensing allow farmers to manage irrigation systems via a mobile phone, while satellite internet provides broadband access to remote areas, including mountains and oceans. Moreover, satellite-enabled intelligent transportation systems are optimizing traffic signal timing to reduce congestion. 

These innovations highlight how space technology, once perceived as distant and exclusive, is now becoming an integral part of everyday life, enhancing communications, supporting agriculture, improving mobility, and providing tangible benefits to the public.

Commercial spaceflight represents a vast frontier of opportunity. It is not only a scientific domain for exploring the unknown but also a burgeoning economic sector with boundless potential for the future.

By Shi Fang, People’s Daily

“Mr. Lu Xun, could you recommend one of your classic works?” 

“If I were to suggest one, perhaps Call to Arms would be a good starting point…”

This conversation took place at the Metaverse Experience Hall of the Beijing Library. Supported by artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, the hall offers visitors a novel approach to immersive reading and knowledge-based social engagement.

As one of three institutions under the Capital Library of China, the Beijing Library has introduced an AI-powered digital human modeled after renowned Chinese writer Lu Xun. Historically, Lu Xun played a role in establishing the predecessor of the Capital Library of China. Today, his digital incarnation symbolizes the library’s digital transformation.

“We developed the digital Lu Xun using AI technologies to provide guided tours, recommend books, and introduce local cuisine and cultural sites,” explained Fei Jun, professor with the School of Design, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and creative director of the Metaverse Experience Hall. His team conducted in-depth research on Lu Xun’s life and works to create a realistic and multidimensional digital persona.

In addition to the digital Lu Xun, Fei’s team created two other digital characters, “Tutu” and “2122,” each with distinct personalities: one childlike and the other futuristic. These avatars, driven by large language models, engage visitors in conversations about literature and everyday life. Since the library opened at the end of 2023, these AI characters have participated in more than 1.7 million voice interactions.

Seven-year-old reader Wang Jiayi eagerly asked “2122” questions such as, “Why did dinosaurs go extinct?” and “Why do maple leaves turn red in autumn?” Her mother commented, “The digital humans are engaging and informative. They genuinely spark children’s interest in learning.”

Entering the library feels akin to stepping into a digital universe.

Visitors can scan a QR code to verify their identity, customize their attire, and quickly generate digital avatars within the Metaverse. These avatars can navigate virtual spaces such as the Children’s Library, Ancient Books Collection, Art Literature Library, and Intangible Cultural Heritage Library, exploring venue information and upcoming events.

Readers also interact with one another via their digital avatars, sharing reading lists, exchanging book reviews, and bridging online and offline reading experiences.

Looking ahead, the library plans to introduce additional immersive features, including personalized virtual study rooms. “Our goal is to offer a multisensory experience — visual, auditory, and even tactile — so users feel as if they’ve entered a parallel world for immersive reading,” Fei said. His team is also developing an online version of the metaverse library, enabling remote access to its digital environment and vast knowledge collections.

“Beyond traditional print books, we want to create a technology-enhanced environment that sparks curiosity and encourages readers to explore knowledge in innovative ways,” said Li Nianzu, deputy director of the Capital Library of China.

By Wang Junling

China is home to the world’s largest high-speed railway, expressway, and postal express delivery networks, as well as the world’s biggest and most extensive digital infrastructure. This increasingly modernized infrastructure system has supported rapid economic and social development, improving public services and enhancing everyday life.

Looking ahead to the next five years, how will China advance its infrastructure development? 

According to the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, new types of infrastructure will be built with appropriate forward planning; information and communication networks, the national integrated computing network, major science and technology infrastructure, and other key systems will be further developed and used intensively and efficiently; traditional infrastructure will be upgraded and retrofitted with digital and intelligent technologies.

This marks the first time a Five-Year Plan recommendation explicitly incorporates the concept of “appropriate forward planning” for new infrastructure.

What does this concept entail, and how will China implement it?

As technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, 5G, and digital twin become deeply embedded in daily life and economic activity, China has made significant strides in developing information infrastructure, integrated infrastructure, and innovative infrastructure. These new foundations underpin the digital economy, accelerate the modernization of traditional infrastructure, and support scientific and technological innovation.

According to Huang Qunhui, a research fellow at the Institute of Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, many sectors, including scientific research, transportation, energy, water conservancy, and communications, face strong demand for digital, intelligent and green upgrades amid a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. Among these, digital-intelligent infrastructure such as next-generation communication base stations, high-performance computing equipment, and ultra-large storage systems has become central priorities.

Zhang Liqun, a research fellow at the Development Research Center of China’s State Council, highlights the public good nature of infrastructure, in contrast to the exclusivity of ordinary commodities. In this context, “appropriate forward planning” implies that government investment in emerging infrastructure, such as communication networks, computing capabilities, and scientific research platforms, must stay ahead of evolving societal needs to ensure public services are both proactive and resilient.

“For example, the growth of emerging industries and the upgrading of traditional industries rely on services like real-time communication and artificial intelligence enabled by traditional infrastructure,” Zhang added. “Government-led investments must anticipate demand to close critical gaps in a timely manner.”

Infrastructure development is a complex undertaking that encompasses policy, funding, planning, and technology, requiring coordinated, well-designed implementation. According to Xiang Aibing, director of the transport integration and innovation research center at the Institute of Comprehensive Transportation of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, despite tremendous progress, China still faces structural weaknesses in new infrastructure and in meeting the higher standards of quality development and public expectations.

Challenges persist in central and western regions and in special zones, where full coverage of gas pipeline and mobile communication network is lacking. Rural areas still struggle with “last-mile” connectivity, and integration across transport, energy, and digital infrastructure remains insufficient.

“The term ‘appropriate’ reflects the need for infrastructure development to align with the pace of economic and social development, while ‘forward-looking’ emphasizes its guiding and enabling function,” Xiang noted. 

“During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China must ensure that the supply of new infrastructure — its capacity, regional distribution, technological sophistication, implementation schedule, and scale — keeps pace with evolving development needs, creating a virtuous cycle of supply and demand,” Xiang added.

The resulting improvements in public services and growing market opportunities are drawing increasing attention from enterprises.

Li Qian, chairwoman of Net Zero, a tech firm based in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, said: “New infrastructure creates substantial opportunities for business expansion. We are making sustained investments, with appropriate forward planning, in computing power infrastructure to position ourselves for rising demand.”

Lunkr Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., the world’s first commercial company supporting the IETF multilingual email standard, provides digital solutions for clients in Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Zambia, and other countries. Wu Xiucheng, executive vice president of the company, noted that advancing new infrastructure with appropriate forward planning during the 15th Five-Year Plan period is a strategic move that enables digital industry growth and fosters new technologies and business models. 

“Going forward, we will scale up our AI-driven products and services to better capitalize on emerging opportunities in email systems and cybersecurity,” Wu added.

By Liu Wenxin, People’s Daily

“Digital” and “intelligent” are two buzzwords in China’s recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, which calls for digital and intelligent development in the manufacturing sector, digital and intelligent transformation of the service sector, and upgrading and retrofitting traditional infrastructure with digital and intelligent technologies.

The evolution from “digital” to “digital and intelligent” reflects a deeper strategic shift. Digitalization involves the application of digital technologies to modernize and upgrade industrial and supply chains across the real economy. In contrast, intelligent digitalization builds upon this foundation by integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), enabling autonomous learning, optimized decision-making, and predictive analytics. This integration aims to enhance production efficiency, resource allocation, management, and innovation.

For example, a large supermarket chain under digitalization would collect real-time data on procurement, warehousing, and sales for analysis. Under intelligent digitalization, an AI system could dynamically adjust pricing and devise sales strategies based on factors like inventory levels and product shelf life.

This transition represents a strategic response to accelerating technological advancement. AI is emerging as a transformative technology on par with the steam engine, electricity, and the internet. Its rapid development is propelling the global economy into an era of intelligent transformation.

For instance, in synthetic biology factories, AI enables continuous, high-efficiency optimization of microbial fermentation, increasing efficiency tenfold. In high-speed train research and development, simulation models powered by AI have reduced aerodynamic calculation times from an entire day to mere seconds.

By emphasizing “intelligent digitalization,” the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan demonstrate China’s commitment to seizing the opportunities presented by AI and advancing its systematic application.

China is well-positioned to advance from “digitalization” to “intelligent digitalization.”

In recent years, China’s AI industry has grown rapidly and now ranks in the global top tier. China’s AI sector has seen robust growth, with the number of enterprises exceeding 5,300 as of September, accounting for 15 percent of the global total. The industry’s scale exceeded 900 billion yuan ($127.11 billion) in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 24 percent.

Computing power infrastructure continues to expand. As of the end of June 2025, China had 10.85 million standard racks in operation nationwide, with its intelligent computing power reaching 788 EFLOPS, ranking among the top in the world.

Algorithm innovation is also flourishing. China has released 1,509 large AI models, the highest number globally, accounting for a substantial share of the 3,755 models launched worldwide to date and supporting the global open-source ecosystem through models like DeepSeek and Qwen.

The transition from “digitalization” to “intelligent digitalization” hinges on the integration of AI across sectors to drive high-quality development. Effective AI advancement requires practical application. To this end, China is implementing the “AI Plus” initiative, which focuses on strengthening technological capabilities to foster the “intelligent industrialization” of AI while accelerating the intelligent transformation of traditional industries. These efforts aim to expand application scenarios, support the high-quality development of the AI industry, and enable AI to contribute more substantially and effectively to economic and social development.

Looking ahead, leveraging AI’s “multiplier effect” will provide a robust material and technological foundation for advancing Chinese modernization.

By Lyu Shaogang, People’s Daily

For more than a century, humanity has pursued the dream of flight. Traditionally, aircraft have primarily operated in the stratosphere or over open areas, where airflow conditions are relatively straightforward. However, with the rise of the low-altitude economy, the troposphere below 1,000 meters above the ground is fast becoming a key arena for future transportation and industrial transformation.

Recently, the world’s first low-altitude wind tunnel facility was completed and inaugurated in Longhua district of Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province. Inside the state-of-the-art facility, 81 high-powered fans generate powerful gusts while a quadcopter drone undergoes rigorous testing, shaking under simulated level-8 wind conditions. Real-time data from load sensors feed directly into monitoring screens, offering valuable insights.

Developed by the Shensi Lab of the Shenzhen Institute for Advanced Study, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, the facility is being hailed as the “ultimate test field” for low-altitude aircraft.

Low-altitude aircraft face significant engineering challenges due to the complex environmental conditions of the troposphere. According to Yang Jun, head of the Shensi Lab, “Commercial aircraft typically operate in the stratosphere, around 10,000 meters, where wind directions are more uniform. In contrast, the wind patterns in the troposphere are highly variable, with severe convective weather making flights below 1,000 meters particularly difficult.” Despite these challenges, the troposphere is vital for emerging applications, including logistics delivery, emergency response, and urban transportation.

The aviation industry has long adhered to the principle: “No wind tunnel, no flight.” Since the Wright brothers built their first wind tunnel in 1901, wind tunnels have played an essential role in flight testing. Yet, among over 1,000 wind tunnels worldwide, few are capable of replicating the dynamic, complex atmospheric conditions of low-altitude urban environments. To evaluate the wind resistance and flight performance of low-altitude aircraft in turbulent, real-world conditions, engineers have often had to rely on chasing storms.

To address this gap, the Shensi Lab developed the world’s first low-altitude wind tunnel facility capable of precisely simulating urban wind conditions, including street-canyon winds, heat island effects, wind shear, and downbursts. This provides scientific support for defining safe operational boundaries for low-altitude aircraft.

The facility consists of two chambers: an outer chamber with a diameter of 18 meters and an inner chamber measuring 10 meters. Aircraft with wingspans up to four meters can be tested for aerodynamic characteristics, flight-control performance, and safety across a range of scenarios including vertical takeoff and landing, cruising, and hovering. The wind tunnel features a “fan matrix” design, incorporating three fan arrays arranged in different directions, along with a bottom-flow array. It can generate wind speeds of up to 60 meters per second, with a response time of under two seconds. 

Additionally, the facility can control temperature and humidity and simulate rain, snow, and hail, offering a comprehensive reproduction of urban low-altitude weather for safety testing. Since its launch, the wind tunnel has supported the research and development of small and micro low-altitude aircraft for several companies.

Looking ahead, low-altitude aviation holds vast development potential. Imagine booking a “custom flight” to travel 100 kilometers in just half an hour at speeds of 200 to 300 kilometers per hour. Envision commuting not by walking down to the street but by taking off from the rooftop. Point-to-point urban travel, once thought to be the stuff of science fiction, may soon be a reality.

“The low-altitude economy is not about isolated technologies. It depends on the coordinated efforts of the entire industrial chain,” Yang said. With no unified global standards yet established for urban low-altitude flight, original research is necessary to create independent scientific and industrial systems, positioning China to become a global leader and standard-setter in this field.

Looking to the future, the Shensi Lab plans to develop an even larger low-altitude environmental simulation facility, with an outer chamber diameter of 65 meters and an inner chamber diameter of 45 meters. This facility will support studies, validation, and testing for medium- and large-sized low-altitude aircraft, including drone swarms, with wingspans of up to 17 meters. Once completed, it will complement the existing wind tunnel, forming a complete testing ecosystem for the development of low-altitude aircraft.

By People’s Daily reporters

In today’s global economy, the market has become a scarce and strategic resource. For China, a robust domestic market serves as a strategic pillar of its modernization drive.

Advancing the development of a unified national market and maximizing the strengths of China’s enormous market are key priorities in China’s recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan. Strategic objectives have been established to cultivate a resilient and dynamic  domestic market.

In practice, China’s super-sized market demonstrates three defining features: its leading role, stability, and growth potential. These qualities provide a clear framework for further leveraging the advantages of such a large market.

A market with a leading global role

China’s vast consumer demand fuels innovation and creativity, while its high-quality supply capabilities shape the trends of the times. The scale and depth of its market — marked by diverse application scenarios, efficient industrial collaboration, and a supportive innovation ecosystem — continue to attract global innovation resources, amplifying its capacity for technological breakthroughs and international impact.

Innovative developments in areas such as autonomous driving and the sharing economy illustrate how consumption growth is increasingly driven by innovation. In the first three quarters of this year, China registered 19.922 million new consumer goods registered via barcodes, an increase of 31.4 percent year on year, demonstrating sustained consumption momentum.

As new sectors such as the low-altitude economy and embodied intelligence gain traction, China is accelerating the integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation. This synergy is cultivating fertile ground for frontier technologies and future industries, making China an increasingly attractive hub for global science and innovation capital.

Saadia Zahidi, managing director of the World Economic Forum, said that China’s expansive market, open and inclusive investment environment, and stable policy outlook make it a compelling destination for global enterprises.

Over the past five years, China’s photovoltaic industry has significantly reduced global application costs; annual exports of new-energy vehicles have surpassed two million units for the first time; and the country’s advancements in smart manufacturing have captured global recognition. Additionally, livestream e-commerce originating in China has inspired widespread global adoption. When a technology gains momentum in the Chinese market, it benefits from the scale, infrastructure, and innovation ecosystem necessary for rapid expansion and global influence, underscoring the Chinese market’s leading role as a global trendsetter.

A market marked by stability

Market size underpins strategic composure, while institutional advantages enhance governance efficiency.

This year, China produced nearly 30 new energy vehicles, handled more than 370,000 express parcels and exported over 30 million yuan worth ($4.22 million) of mechanical and electrical products per minute on average. These remarkable achievements highlight the dynamism and resilience of the Chinese market.

Retail sales of consumer goods in China grew 5.5 percent on average annually over the past four years; automobile production and sales have remained the highest in the world; the country has achieved the $700 billion investment attraction target six months ahead of schedule; and its economic output has surpassed 130 trillion yuan. These results during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) speak to the strength of China’s market.

A major economy’s advantage lies in its capacity for robust internal circulation. China boasts the world’s most complete and largest industrial system, supported by a population of more than 1.4 billion, including 250 million people with higher education. The nation is undergoing rapid industrialization, informatization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization. This combination ensures both strong supply-side capabilities and substantial domestic demand.

The stability of China’s market is underpinned by stable expectations, a diverse set of macroeconomic regulations, and long-term strategic planning. Under the socialist market economy, China effectively merges the efficiencies of a market-driven system with the coordination capacity of a capable government. This synergy ensures that the super-sized market remains vibrant, resilient, and well-regulated.

A market with significant growth potential

Demographic shifts are expanding the space for development, while comprehensive reform and opening up continue to unlock new economic dividends.

China is transitioning from a middle-income country toward a high-income one, with the goal of becoming a moderately developed country. In the next decade and beyond, its middle-income population is expected to exceed 800 million. Areas of unbalanced or insufficient development represent untapped investment potential, while rising demand for a better quality of life is creating new consumption growth points.

The Chinese market’s growth potential is closely tied to deepening reform. China is continuously shortening its negative list for market access, abolishing regulatory barriers that hinder the formation of a unified national market and fair competition, and ensuring that new policies align with broader macroeconomic objectives.

By accelerating the development of a unified national market and fostering a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized, China is enabling the efficient flow of production factors and unlocking broad-based creativity and market vitality.

As Joe Ngai, chairman of McKinsey & Company in Greater China, put it, “China’s vast market and innovative capabilities are difficult to replicate elsewhere.”

With a focus on institutional opening up, leveraging the strength of its large market to drive internal economic circulation, and focusing on effective domestic governance, China will continue to inject sustained dynamism into the global economy. Its ongoing development will continue to generate new opportunities worldwide.

By Lyu Xiaoxun, People’s Daily

How do mega infrastructure projects become popular tourist destinations? 

At the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in southwest China’s Guizhou province, the world’s longest-span and tallest bridge, is drawing significant visitors. Beyond its engineering marvel, it features a 1,000-square-meter glass observation hall, along with low-altitude skydiving and bungee jumping facilities, turning infrastructure into a thrilling tourist attraction.

How do frontline production sites transform into experiential learning spaces? 

At the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, visitors collaborate to assemble ship models and explore vessel construction and dismantling processes — an immersive, educational activity welcomed by students and teachers alike.

Across China, traditional “Keep Out” signs are being replaced with “Welcome” mats as industrial tourism gains momentum. Increasingly, innovative and experiential tours are redefining public engagement with industry, offering deeply informative and sometimes romanticized journeys through China’s industrial heartland.

What makes industrial tourism so appealing? And why are consumers drawn to industrial aesthetics?

Industrial tourism captivates not merely through landscapes but by revealing the narrative of a major manufacturing nation, including its challenges, achievements, and transformation. It invites visitors to engage with the tangible legacy of industrial progress.

At the Yumen Oilfield in northwest China’s Gansu province, a key site of revolutionary tourism, visitors can smell crude oil, feel its texture, and trace the formation and extraction process, gaining a visceral understanding of the dedication and pioneering spirit of generations of oil workers.

At the Wenchang International Aerospace City in south China’s Hainan province, envisioned as the country’s first commercial spaceflight, crowds of “rocket chasers” gather to witness launches up close, experiencing China’s steady march toward becoming a leading nation in aerospace and science and technology.

Unlike traditional sightseeing, industrial tourism offers a unique perspective on industrial innovation and technological transformations. It chronicles China’s evolution from catching up to taking the lead, from overcoming critical technological “bottlenecks” to closing technological gaps. China’s national industrial heritage sites and tourism bases serve as living archives of perseverance and progress, reflecting the enduring spirit of the Chinese people.

Industrial tourism goes beyond novelty; it fosters meaningful engagement with the realities of manufacturing and modern life. Immersive experiences allow visitors to understand not only how products are made but also the ingenuity driving their creation.

At the Tsingtao Brewery Museum in east China’s Shandong province, the popular live-action show “The Awakening Brewer” often sells out morning sessions. As visitors follow the narrative, they sample beer-yeast bread and malt tea, experiencing an enjoyable fusion of culture, craftsmanship, and flavor.

At the Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, visitors can wear uniforms and operate a simulated control panel. This hands-on activity offers a rare glimpse into the stability and safety protocols of China’s nuclear energy sector, deepening public appreciation for advanced energy infrastructure.

Factory tours and workshop visits satisfy public curiosity and the growing appetite for experiential learning. They expand horizons, provide leisure opportunities, and spark imagination and innovation. For operators, interactive and accessible programs enrich service offerings, enhance public understanding of industrial processes, and strengthen brand recognition and social credibility. As destinations and visitors engage more closely, a virtuous cycle emerges, fueling growth in the cultural and tourism sector.

Beyond showcasing products and infrastructure, industrial tourism also communicates development philosophies and cultural values. It promotes new pathways to high-quality development that prioritize ecology, conservation, and green, low-carbon practices. These experiences allow visitors to connect with both China’s collective memory and its vision for the future.

In Fanshan township of Cangnan county, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, ecological restoration of abandoned mines has been integrated with the revitalization of miners’ villages and industrial sites. Last year, the township’s tourism revenue reached approximately 44 million yuan ($6.21 million), exemplifying the principle that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” 

At the Meishan Iron and Steel industrial cultural tourism zone in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, successive ultra-low-emission upgrades have reduced energy consumption per ton of steel for three consecutive years. The addition of ecological features, such as micro-wetlands and fish ponds, has attracted native wildlife like egrets and black kites, drawing over 500,000 visitors annually. The park demonstrates that “rust belts” can be reimagined as “scenic belts.”

Today, production lines are not only engines of industry but also key assets in tourism development. Leveraging China’s extensive industrial heritage, and supported by coordinated efforts from both government and industry, industrial tourism is well-positioned to unlock new momentum for sustainable growth and expanded domestic consumption.