Rows of photovoltaic panels provide electricity for oil derricks at Daqing Oilfield in Heilongjiang Province on Feb. 4. Photo: IC PHOTO

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Under the guidance of the strategy for the full revitalization of northeast China, the provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang have made significant strides in high-quality and sustainable development, positioning the region to reclaim its former industrial prominence.

Jilin

In 2024, Jilin overcame multifold challenges and achieved remarkable results in revitalization and development. Industrial investment increased 10.1% year-on-year, the added value of high-tech manufacturing accounted for 12.3% of industries above the designated size, and the value of strategic emerging industries made up 16.9% of industrial output. Newly installed wind and solar power capacity exceeded 6 million kilowatts, while investment in the new energy sector surpassed 110 billion yuan.

In addition, the hydrogen energy industrial park in the province generated 80% of its renewable power for self-consumption, pioneering China’s first direct supply model for new energy. Fiscal revenue increased 10.8% over the previous year, while state-owned capital returns soared 358% to 6.46 billion yuan. The province facilitated the commercialization of 3,609 technological achievements, with a total value of technology contracts reaching 24.1 billion yuan. The Jilin-1 satellite constellation expanded to 117 satellites, releasing the world’s first high-definition, annual global composite image.

The province is off to an impressive start in 2025. In January, the FAW Group’s (one of China’s oldest and largest automotive manufacturers) three independent brands—Hongqi, Jiefang, and Bestune—sold over 20,000 new energy vehicles, a 166.14% year-on-year increase. Jilin Chemical Fiber Group reported an industrial output of 1.55 billion yuan, up 6% year-on-year, with carbon fiber sales rising 37% and export earnings increasing 16%.

Liaoning

Liaoning also saw a series of notable achievements in 2024. On a year-on-year basis, the province’s GDP was up 5.1%, fixed asset investment increased 5.3%, total retail sales of consumer goods rose 4%, and tax income climbed 5.5%. For the first time in six years, R&D investment growth exceeded the national average, with investment intensity hitting a 10-year high. Additionally, the turnover of technology contracts surged 17.8%, and the added value of high-tech manufacturing jumped 11.3% compared to the previous year.

In the same period, the province showcased remarkable technological advancements: the new J-35A stealth fighter made its striking debut, a 1000-kilowatt new energy hybrid locomotive was successfully developed, and the world’s first and largest methanol dual-fuel-powered container ship crankshaft was launched. Furthermore, the Liaoning Shenyang Aviation Cluster, Shenyang-Dalian Industrial Mother Machine Cluster, and Dalian Panjin Green Petrochemical Cluster were recognized as national advanced manufacturing clusters.

On March 1, 2025, a seminar was held in Beijing to deepen cooperation between Liaoning and centrally administered enterprises. During the event, 16 key projects were contracted, spanning critical sectors such as urban infrastructure, offshore wind, mineral resource exploration and expansion, new petrochemical materials, and energy storage and logistics.

Heilongjiang

In Heilongjiang, the GDP grew 3.2% year-on-year, while per capita disposable income increased 5.3%. Total grain output exceeded 80 billion metric tons, maintaining its position as the nation’s top producer for the 15th consecutive year. The overall construction index of the first “big science” facility in national aerospace attained the international advanced level, and the 3,000-ton super slurry bed forging and welding hydrogenation reactor set a new world record.

As a traditional pillar industry, equipment manufacturing in Heilongjiang delivered an impressive performance in transformation and upgrading. In 2024, the sector recorded a year-on-year growth of 2.7%, with industrial technological transformation investment rising 13.7%—a figure 4.5 percentage points above the national average.

The digital economy also achieved landmark successes, positioning Heilongjiang as a national pilot province for the integration of computing power and electricity. The completion and operational launch of the China Mobile Harbin Intelligent Computing Center, the nation’s largest single-cluster intelligent computing project, marked a significant milestone. Additionally, the Harbin Ice and Snow World was certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest ice and snow theme park.

On the new journey in the new era, northeast China is poised to deepen the implementation of the full revitalization strategy, sustaining its growth momentum and playing a vital role in advancing the national high-quality development drive.

Edited by CHEN MIRONG