henanspecial Mineral-based Sanmenxia forging new economic model

By SHI BAOYIN found in the city. It has the big- work for the local government companies to move from [email protected] gest reserves of 15 minerals to transform economic devel- coastal regions, the local gov- among the 18 cities in opment,” Yang said. ernment has increased the The city government of province, according to a 2011 He vowed to make full use of speed of infrastructure con- Sanmenxia in Central ’s government report. the city’s rich natural resources struction and has established Henan province is search- “Sanmenxia is a typical to develop industrial hubs for a transport network that ing out a new path to eco- resource-dependent city that high-quality aluminum pro- includes a high-speed railway nomic development to lessen relies too much on the devel- cessing, vehicle component and highways. its dependence on natural opment of natural resource- manufacturing and fruit pro- The network is expected to resources. related industries,” Yang said. cessing. improve commodity trans- Lcated near the border with “Natural resources are limited Sanmenxia is also a prime portation and logistics, which Northwest China’s and we have to set up some apple growing region, so a will help attract both talented province, Sanmenxia is rich in new industries to replace the number of companies making professionals and high-tech mineral resources including current ones.” products from the fruit have industries nationwide, Yang gold, coal and aluminum ore. The local government estab- been established at a total said. Underground gold reserves lished a 100 square kilometer investment of 1.47 billion yuan The city also plans to estab- and output within the city rank industrial zone in 2006 that is ($231.2 million). lish at least two commercial second nationwide. now home to 135 enterprises, Apple pectin — used as streets in each of its adminis- Natural resource-based mostly centered around alu- gelling agent and stabilizer in trative counties, while ensur- industries have accounted for minum processing, energy- food — made by Sanmenxia’s ing international-brand com- more than 70 percent of the saving illumination, equip- Fuyuan Pectin Industry Co modities are also available. city’s GDP for many years, but ment manufacturing and accounted for more than 80 It plans to develop a cen- most of the production is inef- agricultural processing. percent of the country’s total tral business near the PHOTOS PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY ficient and generates little prof- About 12,000 employees last year. Sanmenxia station on the Yang Shuping (right), Sanmenxia Party secretary, visits . it, said Yang Shuping, Party currently work at companies The apple juice produc- -Xi’an high-speed secretary of Sanmenxia. in the zone. tion line at Henan Luck Food railway, which is expected to Culture-related industries Zhangong said Sanmenxia of urban residents rising by “The price of two tons of City administrators are Industry Co is one the most be finished in three years. will be encouraged by the local “used to rely heavily on min- 13.5 percent and rural income aluminum oxide is lower than now developing strategies to advanced in Asia and can pro- The planned 8 square kilo- government and grow to con- eral resources, but it has man- increasing by 19.7 percent in one iPhone,” Yang said. “But if improve customs services and duce 50,000 tons of apple juice meter central business district tribute more than 5 percent aged to find a way to upgrade 2011, according to the govern- we made the aluminum into transportation to attract more annually, according to the local will offer high-end commodi- of the region’s GDP growth in its industry”. ment report. airline materials, the price general business, tourism and government’s work report for ties, financial facilities, tour- five years, the report said. Rapid economic growth would increase dramatically.” high-tech industries. 2011. ist transportation and leisure Following a visit to the city, has brought direct benefits Ma Shouguo and Qi Xin con- Some 66 minerals have been “It’s tough and arduous To attract more high-tech services, the work report said. Henan Party Secretary Lu to locals, with the income tributed to this story.

Sanmenxia has grown into a developed city based on its gold, coal and other underground natural resources, but city leaders are now looking to more sustainable industries.