In the heart of Sichuan Province, Yibin’s lush camphor forests are becoming a blueprint for sustainable growth, thanks to the efforts of National People’s Congress (NPC) deputy Wei Qin. Over the past decade, the professor-turned-innovator has transformed these aromatic trees into a thriving multibillion-yuan industry, blending ecological stewardship with economic vitality.
Wei’s work focuses on extracting high-value products like essential oils and eco-friendly fertilizers from camphor byproducts, creating jobs while preserving biodiversity. "Green development isn’t a trade-off—it’s the foundation of lasting prosperity," she remarked ahead of this year’s NPC session, where she plans to advocate for scaling similar models across the Chinese mainland.
Yibin’s camphor industry now supports over 20,000 local households, aligning with China’s push for high-quality development. Analysts note the project’s success in balancing rural revitalization with carbon reduction goals, offering lessons for other Asian economies pursuing sustainable transitions.
