Guizhou, an underdeveloped province in southwest China, was an outstanding performer in poverty eradication in 2018. Its impoverished population decreased to 1.4 million in 2018 from 18.4 million in 1978. In 2018 alone, 1.4 million residents shed poverty.

Economic development and ecological conservation are the main aspects of the comprehensive plan for Guizhou's development. The Central Government has asked Guizhou to cultivate its latecomer advantages and explore a development path different from the methods chosen by the eastern more developed regions and other western regions.

Guizhou became a pilot province in many fields in 2016 when a national ecological experimental zone, a national big data comprehensive experimental zone and an inland economic development zone were established in the province. Three national-level pilot programs' coming up in a single province within one year is rare and brought this undeveloped region to the spotlight.

In 2018, Guizhou's GDP reached 1,481 billion yuan ($220 billion), an annual increase of 9.1 percent, ranking third among all provinces and regions for eight consecutive years.

Many of its old industries, including coal, are giving way to upgraded ones. Previously, coal was used primarily for power generation and electricity was in short supply in winter. But today the situation has improved to a great extent due to new energy mechanisms.

The private sector has had a record growth in the past three years and state-owned enterprises continue to be restructured. Technological industries related to big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence manufacturing have grown rapidly, accounting for 19 percent of Guizhou's economy.