Forestry industry puts Guangxi on the map

The total output value of Guangxi's forestry industry reached 562.8 billion yuan ($82.9 billion) in 2018, 8.4 times larger than 2008's total output value. Its domestic ranking also rose from 9th to 3rd place, tying with Guangdong and Shandong provinces.

In 2008, Guangxi formulated a three-step strategy to reach an output value of 200 billion yuan by 2015. The target number was achieved two years in advance, and doubled by 2015. In 2017, the annual output value of the region's forestry industry scaled new heights, exceeding 500 billion yuan.

In addition to quantitative growth, Guangxi also made inroads in transforming and developing its forestry industry. Total forest area and stock volume are both on the rise.

Ten years ago, the primary sector of the industry accounted for the lion's share, while the second and tertiary industries were comparatively weak. This structure has changed over the past decade with the lengthening of the industrial chain and the emergence of ecotourism, green healthcare, and recreational wetlands.

Already a major wood producer, Guangxi plans to spend the ensuing years building itself into the largest repertory forest base, according to the Department of Forestry of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.