Former powerhouse shines once more

Timeline

October 2003

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council release policies on revitalizing old industrial bases in Northeast China, formally launching the strategy.

January 2012

The State Council's leading group for revitalizing the country's old industrial bases, including those in Northeast China, discusses and approves the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-16) of Northeast China Revitalization.

July 2015

President Xi Jinping stresses the importance of revitalizing old industrial bases in the northeast during his visit to Changchun, capital of Jilin province. He says the initiative has reached a crucial stage, and both the central government and local governments in the northeast region should make more effort to accelerate development of old industrial bases.

March 7, 2016

President Xi calls for deeper reform to revitalize China's northeastern industrial base during a panel discussion with lawmakers from Heilongjiang province at the annual session of the country's top legislature.

May 2016

President Xi emphasizes the central leadership's decision to revive China's northeastern industrial belt during a three-day inspection trip to Heilongjiang province.

December 2016

The central government issues the 13th Five-Year Plan of Northeast China Revitalization.

September 2018

President Xi makes a four-day inspection trip to the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning. He calls for greater efforts to revitalize the northeast rust belt to make the region a strong pillar for the country's major strategies.