The city of Wuzhong, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, is advancing a modernization drive centered on ecological conservation and high-quality development along the Yellow River basin, Wuzhong Party Secretary Wang Xuejun said.

In a recent interview, Wang said this approach should be the driving force of the city's future growth as it embraces its mission as a pioneer in green development and efficient energy use.

"We have been implementing major industrial cluster projects covering natural gas development, pumped storage hydropower and new energy bases," he said, adding that Wuzhong now has 10 leading industries, including dairy production and a morning tea culture.

The city's industrial parks have achieved a total output value exceeding 100 billion yuan ($14 billion), with new energy installation and storage capacity ranking first in the region, he said. Wuzhong's GDP is projected to reach 99 billion yuan by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), a nearly 50 percent increase from 2020.

"We have pursued reforms to solve problems and innovations to overcome difficulties, and have pursued opening-up to break new ground," Wang said. He added that the city's reform and opening-up efforts have unleashed tremendous vitality.

Wuzhong has implemented 356 key reforms, with 37 of its practices — including a water management system and the use of agricultural facilities as collateral for loans — being recognized at higher levels. The city has steadily opened up and improved its business environment, enabling more than 90 percent of its high-frequency government services to be handled through a single online portal.

The launch of a road-rail-sea intermodal transportation network has bolstered logistics and contributed to an average annual growth of more than 10 percent in total import and export value, Wang said.

Innovation also remains a core driver for Wuzhong. The city's R&D intensity has grown at an average annual rate of 16.6 percent and it is now home to more than 500 national high-tech and sci-tech small and medium-sized enterprises.

Other innovative breakthroughs include the development of sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors and the successful somatic cell cloning of superior Tan sheep, a breed raised in arid and semi-arid grasslands, filling significant gaps in domestic technology.

Environmental protection also plays a central role in Wuzhong's development strategy. Wang said the city has maintained excellent air quality that meets national secondary standards, while water quality in the Wuzhong section of the Yellow River has consistently remained stable at Grade II for nine consecutive years in the country's five-tier water quality system.

"Good ecology has become the most inclusive benefit for all residents," Wang said, noting the city's honors as a national ecological civilization demonstration city and a national low-carbon pilot city.

Wuzhong, home to 36 ethnic groups including Han, Hui, Manchu and Mongolian people, has also pioneered new approaches to ethnic unity. As a prefecture-level city with the highest proportion of Hui people, Wuzhong has hosted the ethnic unity progress month activities for 42 consecutive years.

The city has emerged as a model for ethnic integration through community initiatives such as the community neighbors' festival and the thousand-family banquet, which have been maintained for more than two decades.

Looking ahead to the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), Wang said Wuzhong will continue to promote high-quality development through innovation-driven growth. Key projects will include the expansion of oil and gas capacity, new energy development and the creation of a "green hydrogen valley".

"We will accelerate modern chemical and equipment manufacturing and other major modern industrial clusters," Wang added, emphasizing the city's commitment to a comprehensive green transformation.

He added that the city will advance major ecological projects, including the Luoshan Mountain regional protection initiative and the comprehensive management of the Qingshui and Kushui river basins.

"We will accelerate the comprehensive green transformation of the economy and society, and let a good ecological environment become the greatest benefit to serve the common welfare of all ethnic groups," Wang said.