Guizhou Charts Green Growth Path With Strong Environmental, Industrial Gains 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- The southwestern Chinese province of Guizhou is forging ahead with a green development model, combining ecological preservation with economic growth under a strategy rooted in environmental restoration and low-carbon transformation.

From its early days as an 'Experimental Zone' to becoming a 'Pilot Zone', Guizhou has implemented wide-ranging measures to improve environmental quality. As of 2024, ambient air quality in nine major cities and 88 counties met national Grade II standards, while 99.1 per cent of 222 major river monitoring sections showed excellent water quality.

The Wuyang River in Qiandongnan Prefecture was named one of China's Outstanding Cases of Beautiful Rivers and Lakes, with the region maintaining top-10 national water quality rankings for six consecutive years since 2019.

Guizhou is advancing green industry upgrades, having established 85 national-level green factories and 22 green industrial parks. Its green economy now contributes nearly 48 per cent of the province's economic output, according to a statement.

Innovations in clean transport are also taking shape. China’s first commercial hydrogen-powered locomotive began trial operations in Guizhou, while over 3,000 electric heavy-duty trucks were deployed in 2025, cutting an estimated 332,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Forestry development surged, with output value increasing from 60.1 billion Chinese yuan in 2014 to 465.4 billion Chinese yuan in 2024. Forest coverage has reached 63.3 per cent, with an area of 166 million mu. (100 Chinese yuan = RM58.86)

Guizhou also pioneered a provincial-level carbon credit system, issuing its first batch of forestry carbon tickets and completing 120 water rights transactions worth over 31.5 million Chinese yuan.

Reforestation efforts continued with the planting of over 605 million new seedlings since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, shifting focus from forest area expansion to quality and biodiversity improvement.

Ecological protection has been strengthened through both community involvement and technology, including 87 video surveillance points, 400 infrared wildlife cameras, and more than 40,000 appointed forest chiefs.

In the mineral sector, Guizhou has transformed its phosphorus and aluminium industries, with modern chemical and battery materials output surpassing 50 billion Chinese yuan and 100 per cent aluminium liquid conversion achieved in the Shuicheng Economic Development Zone.

Meanwhile, Guizhou’s cultural tourism and digital economy are thriving. The Zhenyuan Loong Boat Race attracted 253,900 visitors, generating 234 million Chinese yuan in tourism revenue, while the province continues to lead China’s digital economy growth, supported by 48 national-level data centres.

-- BERNAMA