Baotou: a steel city in the grassland seeking green development

Baotou, a livable city with rich natural resources in China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, is making big strides in the new energy industry to boost green development.

The following photos show Baotou’s beautiful scenery. [Photos/CFP]

Abundant natural resources

Known as the "steel city in the grassland" and the "capital of rare earth," Baotou boasts a variety of high-quality mineral resources.

The city's proven reserves of rare earths account for 83.4 percent of China's total, and 37.8 percent of the world’s. Seventy-four different minerals ranging from metals to rare earth have been found in Baotou, making it a world-level rare earth industrial cluster.

With some of the most productive wind farms in China, the city’s annual available hours of wind power can reach more than 4,000 hours. In addition, the available hours of solar power in the area exceeded 3,000 hours last year.

Economic boom driven by new energy

In recent years, Baotou has been making strides toward green, low-carbon, and even zero-carbon development by increasing the production capacity of green power from new energies and promoting environmentally friendly production methods and lifestyles.

In 2020, the city’s regional gross domestic product hit 278.74 billion yuan ($43.15 billion), an increase of 3.0 percent over the previous year at comparable prices. And a total of 143 projects with investment exceeding 100 million yuan were completed, an increase of 20.2 percent over 2019.

Meanwhile, Baotou has made great efforts to optimize its business environment and give full play to its competitive industries while advancing high-end, green, and intelligent upgrades.

At the Modern Energy Industry Development Conference held in Baotou last month, deals for 30 projects with a combined investment of 68.3 billion yuan were inked, mostly in fields like modern energy, circular economy, and new materials.

What’s more, 48 projects with a total investment of 159.7 billion yuan were signed at Baotou city's recent investment promotion conference in Shanghai.

Livable city

The green coverage rate of built-up areas in Baotou reaches 44.6 percent, and the per capita public green area is 15.3 square meters. In addition, the Yellow River flows through Baotou for 220 kilometers, forming more than 120 square kilometers of wetland and numerous lakes.

The city is also equipped with various public service facilities such as shopping malls, schools, hospitals, libraries, stadiums, and grand theaters. It offers a great deal in travel excursions, shopping, and leisure activities such as fitness and sports.

Moreover, Baotou promotes a scientific and artistic spirit, and strongly encourages innovation and creativity.

Baotou, a green city with an ever-improving business environment and a prosperous future, is open to and welcomes friends from all over the world.