In the heart of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Minning Town has become a symbol of coordinated regional development. Once home to struggling farmers earning barely 500 yuan a year, the town now buzzes with new shops, workshops and cultural events.
This dramatic transformation is thanks to the Chinese mainland’s east–west pairing cooperation. Since the partnership kicked off, Fujian Province has invested in local infrastructure, introduced agricultural technologies and provided vocational training. As a result, villagers' per-capita incomes soared from 500 yuan to 19,000 yuan—an increase of nearly 3,700% in under a decade.
Minning Town’s success is part of a broader initiative linking eight eastern and 10 western provinces. By matching resources, expertise and funding, the program aims to narrow the development gap, stimulate domestic demand and fuel inclusive growth across the Chinese mainland.
For young global citizens and business innovators, Minning offers key lessons: targeted partnerships can unlock hidden potential, combining local insights with outside support to drive sustainable progress. Entrepreneurs are also exploring emerging markets here, leveraging Minning’s example to launch rural-focused startups.
Travelers and digital nomads can join this story too—experiencing immersive homestays, visiting community-run eco-projects and connecting with local changemakers. Minning Town proves that meaningful travel can support economic empowerment and cultural exchange.
As Minning Town charts its path forward, it stands as a beacon for coordinated regional growth—showing how focused collaboration can transform communities and inspire similar efforts around the world.
Reference(s):
China's Minning Town: A model of coordinated regional development
cgtn.com
