Located in northeast China, Heilongjiang Province has experienced dramatic changes in the past three years. Since President Xi Jinping highlighted the urgency for the province to revitalize its economy, it has been focusing on economic restructuring by upgrading traditional heavy industries, tapping into the potential of its advantageous industries and developing innovation-oriented industries.

The province has pushed ahead with reform of state-owned enterprises to inject new impetus into traditional industries, promoted the utilization of modern technologies and supported newly emerged industries. As a major grain growing base in China, it has turned to modern agriculture to improve its competitiveness and enhance farmers' income.

The province has attached great importance to poverty alleviation through improving local educational, medical and social security systems.

Local governments at all levels have streamlined administration and delegated power to provide better services.

To give fuller play to its traditional edge in manufacturing, the province has shifted toward smart manufacturing industries. As the local business environment sees steady improvement, it has concentrated on boosting the private sector and addressing financing difficulties for small and micro enterprises.

Apart from developing the economy, Heilongjiang has made great efforts to protect the local natural environment, especially forest resources. It has gradually phased out energy-consuming and polluting industries and shifted toward green industries such as winter tourism.

Heilongjiang still has much room of growth. To this end, steady efforts are needed for the province to achieve high-quality development.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Outlook Weekly on May 27)