Strengthening -chain masters- and cultivating leaders, Henan Zhumadian industry is prospering -newly-
On October 23, during a special news conference hosted by the Publicity Department of the Henan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, Bao Changyong, the Secretary of the Zhumadian Municipal Committee, shared insights on the city’s development and its role in the broader context of China’s modernization efforts.
Zhumadian, often referred to as the “Heart of Henan” and a major agricultural and industrial hub, has been entrusted with the mission of becoming a modern regional center. In recent years, the city has forged a new path for high-quality development in traditional agricultural regions, earning accolades such as National Civilized City, National Sanitary City, National Forest City, and National Garden City, among others.
Bao highlighted that for three consecutive years, Zhumadian has maintained a position among the top performers in GDP growth across Henan province. The city has improved its ranking in industrial value-added growth from 14th to 6th place, and social retail consumption growth remains at the forefront in the province. Furthermore, it consistently leads in comprehensive assessments of fixed asset investment and project development.
Speaking about the driving force behind this robust growth, Bao emphasized the importance of industry as the foundation for economic development. “Our success can be attributed to our strong industrial base,” he noted, explaining how the rapid construction of industrial chains and clusters has injected momentum into high-quality growth.
“We actively introduce new technologies, processes, and equipment to upgrade and expand traditional industries, with a clear focus on agricultural processing,” Bao continued. He mentioned that Zhumadian leverages its annual grain production of 16 billion pounds by attracting over 400 key agricultural enterprises, including renowned brands such as Henan Jindong, Jinmailang, and Shinian Foods. The city boasts an annual grain processing capacity of 20 million tons and aims to establish itself as the largest spice and oilseed production base in the country, achieving the goal of using every part of the corn.
Bao also shared the ambitious vision of developing “China’s Medicine Valley.” The city is home to over 2,000 varieties of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, with a planting area of 240,000 acres. Certain local crops dominate the national market, with yields of summer corydalis, goosegrass, and white flower snake tongue grass making up 80%, 70%, and 50% of their respective markets.
In 2021, Zhumadian launched an initiative to create “China’s Medicine Valley,” as outlined by Deputy Secretary and Mayor Li Yueyong. This strategy aims to build a strong competitive core in the modern pharmaceutical industry, harnessing local resources to enhance the modern agricultural landscape and foster new forms of industrialization.
To facilitate this, Zhumadian has introduced a comprehensive development plan focused on six key areas, including raw and finished drug production and traditional Chinese medicine. According to official statistics, the city has implemented 86 projects under the “China’s Medicine Valley” initiative, with a total investment of approximately 57.8 billion yuan. This effort has nurtured a number of leading enterprises, and the number of projects has since grown to 93 with investments totaling around 58.26 billion yuan.
