Chinese leader Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conducted an inspection tour in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, on Wednesday, emphasizing regional development and cultural heritage protection. The visit underscores Beijing’s focus on balanced growth in southwestern China, a region pivotal to national poverty alleviation efforts and ecological conservation strategies.
During his tour, Xi visited local communities and infrastructure projects, reaffirming commitments to rural revitalization and sustainable tourism. Yunnan, known for its ethnic diversity and strategic location bordering Southeast Asia, has seen increased investment in recent years to bolster cross-border trade and environmental initiatives.
Analysts note the trip aligns with broader economic plans to integrate Yunnan into the China-Laos-Thailand Economic Corridor, offering potential opportunities for ASEAN-oriented businesses. Meanwhile, the region’s UNESCO-listed Old Town of Lijiang – a cultural hub for the Naxi ethnic group – highlighted Xi’s call for "harmonious coexistence between modernization and traditional values."
The visit comes as China strengthens development programs in underdeveloped regions, with Yunnan’s GDP growing 4.4% year-on-year in Q1 2024. Market observers suggest the province’s renewable energy and agricultural sectors may attract overseas investors, particularly from Hong Kong and Macao.
