Lanzhou, the Golden City, where the city and the river coexist in harmony. Tian Xi
During holidays, Zhongshan Bridge is crowded with tourists. Pei Qiang
By the end of 2025, all 325 disaster-affected households in Yuzhong County had moved into their new homes. Feng Lekai
On the 24th of the month, Lanzhou City held its first meeting of the new year - the Strong Provincial Capital Conference. Ding Kai
Lanshi Group's equipment manufacturing is moving towards "new", "green" and "intelligent". Ding Kai
Wuquan Morning Market, citizens buying fresh vegetables. Pei Qiang
The Yellow River surges forward, day and night without cease; the land of Jincheng is witnessing new changes every day.
Since the provincial Party committee and the provincial government deployed and promoted the strong provincial capital action at a high level, 900 days and nights have been spent marching forward resolutely through wind and rain.
Lanzhou City has forged ahead in responding to changes, stabilizing the overall situation, breaking through difficulties, and opening up new prospects. It has anchored its direction with strategic resolve, gathered momentum through the power of unity, solved problems with a spirit of struggle, and promoted changes with scientific methods, thus blazing a profound and solid path of revitalization.
As the Spring Festival holiday ends and work resumes, the clarion call rings out again. Lanzhou City held its first meeting of the new year - the "Strive for Real Results and Take the Lead to Strengthen the Provincial Capital" conference. This was not only a review meeting to look back on the journey and summarize achievements, but also a mobilization meeting to regroup, take on more pressure, and forge ahead.
More than two years of practice have fully proved that strengthening the provincial capital is not just a slogan. Lanzhou has responded with concrete actions and delivered results, writing a vivid chapter of high-quality development on the banks of the Yellow River.
Taking the Lanzhou Road Well: Unwavering Determination to Steer the Right Course through Bold Commitment and Responsibility
If you take the right path, you won't fear the distance; if your direction is clear, you won't be afraid of storms.
Since the launch of the Self-Improving Provincial Capital Initiative, Lanzhou has resolutely shouldered the mission and responsibility of "taking the lead in making efforts and setting a good example". It has maintained the strategic resolve of "remaining calm amid the chaos of flying clouds", clarified its position, identified the right path, and moved forward with determination, thus forging a path of high-quality development that is in line with its own reality and demonstrates the responsibility of a provincial capital.
This is a scientific path of systematic design and acting after careful planning. Lanzhou City insists on taking the action of strengthening the provincial capital as the overall driving force, clarifies the roadmap, task list, and timetable with the "1139" work deployment, focuses on the functional positioning of "two cities and two places", advances the planning and layout of key work in a phased manner, and formulates the development blueprint for the "15th Five-Year Plan" from a high position to ensure that the city's development does not deviate, go astray, or slack off. From laying the foundation, setting up pillars and beams, to advancing steadily and in depth, and then to making all-round efforts and accumulating momentum, the action of strengthening the provincial capital has progressed step by step and gone deeper, forming a complete, logically clear, practical and effective promotion system.
In the past three months, the whole city has focused on the start of the "15th Five-Year Plan", continuously improved the spatial planning, industrial map, and project list, promoted the refinement, materialization, and concretization of major strategic deployments, transformed the systematic design into specific actions that can be implemented, advanced, and effective, and ensured that development always moves forward steadily in the correct direction.
This is a path of advantage that is based on endowments and highlights characteristics. As the only provincial capital city through which the Yellow River flows, Lanzhou City leverages its comparative advantages such as the heritage of an old industrial base, abundant scientific and technological innovation resources, prominent transportation location, and profound cultural heritage to take a path of differentiated, distinctive, and modern development. It persists in placing the protection, inheritance, and promotion of the Yellow River culture in an important position, 贯穿始终 (runs through) the principle of prioritizing ecology and green development, takes industrial upgrading and innovation-driven development as key supports, and strives to transform its resource endowments into development momentum.
Recently, the whole city has continued to deepen the layout of the "Six Major Economies", promoting the coordinated development of urban advanced manufacturing, modern service industry, digital economy, cultural and tourism industry, etc., and advancing the in-depth integration of industrial chains, innovation chains, capital chains, and talent chains, making the path of building a strong provincial capital more solid, more resilient, and more distinctive.
This is a path of win-win cooperation that takes into account overall planning and comprehensive progress. Lanzhou has always adhered to a systematic concept, promoting in a coordinated manner the development of the economy, politics, culture, society, and ecological civilization, coordinating urban renewal with rural revitalization, balancing reform, development, and security and stability, and integrating efforts to strengthen itself with radiating and driving others, so as to achieve the coordinated progress and synergetic development of various undertakings. It not only focuses on major projects and key industries, but also on grassroots foundations and small people's livelihood issues; it not only pays attention to stabilizing growth in the current period, but also to enhancing momentum in the long run; it not only works on improving the urban functional level, but also on promoting integrated urban and rural development.
The construction of the city's rural revitalization demonstration belt continues to advance, the ecological protection and governance of the Yellow River Basin are constantly deepened, the equalization of public services is steadily expanded, the appearance of urban and rural areas is improved simultaneously, and the integrity, coordination, and sustainability of development are continuously enhanced, thus forging a path of sustainable development featuring beautiful ecology, thriving industries, and affluent people.
Uniting the Strength of Lanzhou: With One Heart and One Mind, Building a Foundation Through Unity and Struggle
A strong provincial capital is never a "one-man show" of a single city, but a "grand chorus" where the upper and lower levels work together, multiple parties collaborate, and the whole people participate.
Lanzhou City has always adhered to the belief that "when all forces are united, they can lift a weight of ten thousand jun", mobilizing all positive factors, integrating all high-quality resources, and pooling all forging ahead forces to build an indestructible and unstoppable "Lanzhou Power".
Provincial support is unprecedented, boosting and encouraging the strong provincial capital. The Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government have placed the strong provincial capital initiative in a prominent position, with policy inclinations, factor guarantees, and project layouts continuing to focus on Lanzhou, providing the most solid backing for Lanzhou to solve problems and accelerate development. Provincial departments, central units stationed in Lanzhou, and provincial-owned enterprises and public institutions have taken the initiative to assume responsibilities and made every effort to help, introducing policies, providing resources, and solving problems, thus forming a strong synergy of up-down linkage, left-right coordination, and joint management.
Lanzhou is well aware that only by strengthening the linkage between provinces and cities can major issues be promoted in a coordinated manner, key projects be implemented efficiently, and policy dividends be continuously released, which has injected strong impetus into Lanzhou's efforts to overcome difficulties and achieve transformation and upgrading.
Regional collaboration to address common issues together expands space and amplifies effectiveness for the strong provincial capital. Lanzhou adheres to the responsibilities of a provincial capital, takes the initiative to strengthen docking and collaboration with fraternal cities and prefectures, promotes resource sharing, industrial complementarity, facility connectivity, and mutual benefits in people's livelihoods. It avoids closed operations and self-circulation, and drives the strength of the whole province through its own strength. We will deepen regional industrial chain and supply chain collaboration, promote the transformation and sharing of innovative achievements, facilitate the rational distribution of population, industries, and functions, and accelerate the construction of a new pattern of coordinated development.
In the development layout, the coordinated advancement of the Lanbai Science and Technology Innovation Reform Pilot Zone and the construction of the Lanbai-Dinglin urban agglomeration has made the momentum of regional linkage development stronger, and the pattern of "leading geese leading the way and flocks of geese flying together" is taking shape at an accelerated pace.
Cadres and the masses work together with dedication and perseverance, laying a solid foundation and injecting vitality into the strong provincial capital. The majority of Party members and cadres in the city take the lead in charging forward and working hard, treating their posts as battle positions and their missions as their lives, and implement policies and solve problems with a sense of responsibility that "one cannot be at ease for a moment". Various enterprises and entrepreneurs stick to real industries, deepen their main businesses, actively expand production capacity, launch projects, and engage in innovation, becoming the main force driving development. The people understand, support, take the initiative to participate, and work together to share the fruits, converging their bit by bit efforts into a torrent of development.
From the frontlines of projects to workshop floors in industrial parks, from streets and communities to fields and farmlands, bustling scenes of hard work can be seen everywhere, with everyone being a participant, builder, and beneficiary. This kind of unifying strength where millions are of one mind and united as one, and the forging-ahead strength from the solidarity between the Party and the people as well as the collaboration between the government and enterprises, is precisely where Lanzhou's confidence and courage lie in overcoming all difficulties and securing future development.
Solving Lanzhou's Difficulties: Taking Real and Tough Actions to Clear Obstacles in Overcoming Challenges
The path of development has never been smooth, and it is in great events and difficulties that one's sense of responsibility is tested. The deeper the "Strong Provincial Capital" initiative advances, the more complex the contradictions encountered and the more intractable the remaining problems become.
Lanzhou has always carried forward the fighting spirit of "the more dangerous and difficult it is, the more we move forward". It does not avoid contradictions, cover up problems, or fear difficulties. With the courage of "knowing there are tigers in the mountains, yet heading straight for them", it tackles tough issues, wades through dangerous shoals, breaks down barriers, and opens up new prospects while solving difficult problems.
Face risks and challenges head-on, and resolutely hold the bottom line of safe development. In response to the risk hidden dangers accumulated over a long period of time, Lanzhou adheres to the bottom-line thinking, strengthens systematic governance, focuses on development while ensuring safety, seeks progress through stability, and consolidates stability through progress. In terms of resolving debt risks, it persists in reducing debts in the course of development and promoting development while reducing debts, revitalizes stock assets, optimizes resource allocation, expands debt reduction paths, continuously consolidates the achievements of lowering the risk level from "red", and explores and forms replicable and promotable experience and practices.
The whole city has continuously consolidated the achievements in debt resolution, standardized government investment behaviors, strengthened the supervision of state-owned assets, resolutely adhered to the bottom line of preventing systemic risks, and created a safe and stable environment for high-quality development.
Face the pain points in people's livelihood directly and make every effort to solve the urgent, difficult, and anxious issues of the people. No matter how small things related to the common people are, they are all major matters. Lanzhou adheres to the people-centered development ideology, takes "new officials handling old accounts" as an important political responsibility, concentrates efforts to solve a number of long-standing problems that have been wanted to be solved but not solved, and accomplishes a number of practical things that were wanted to be done in the past but not done. It has fully completed the tasks of "ensuring the delivery of buildings and houses", helping many families realize their dream of having a home; it has steadily promoted the resolution of long-standing problems left over from shantytown renovation, effectively safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the people.
The "heating revolution" continues to deepen, the "visiting residents to inquire about warmth" initiative is carried out regularly, the renovation of old pipe networks is accelerating, the heating quality has been significantly improved, and the people's worries, troubles, and anxieties have been resolved one by one.
Face the persistent urban problems head-on and continuously improve governance capabilities and levels. To address issues that have long plagued urban development, such as traffic congestion, insufficient public services, and incomplete urban functions, Lanzhou City has thoroughly implemented the "Smooth Lanzhou" initiative and the comprehensive transportation campaign. It has optimized the road network structure, eliminated congestion points and bottlenecks, improved traffic efficiency, and accelerated the construction of a comprehensive transportation system that is well-connected externally, smooth internally, convenient, and efficient. At the same time, focusing on shortcomings in fields such as education, medical care, elderly care, and the environment, Lanzhou has continuously increased investment, improved functions, and enhanced quality, making the city more livable, resilient, and intelligent.
A number of key transportation projects have come into effect, the urban micro-circulation has been continuously smoothed, the supply of public services has been continuously optimized, urban governance has shifted from "passive response" to "active service", and from "solving a single issue" to "improving a system". The bottlenecks restricting development have been continuously broken, and the "tigers in the road" and "stumbling blocks" on the way forward have been gradually removed.
Realizing the Transformation of Lanzhou: A Dramatic Leap Forward to Reshape Its Image Through Practical Efforts and Striving for Excellence
After more than two years of arduous struggle and pragmatic efforts to overcome challenges, Lanzhou has undergone profound changes imperceptibly and achieved a qualitative leap through accumulation over time. The city's comprehensive strength, development vitality, external influence, and people's sense of happiness have been comprehensively enhanced. A picture of a modern Golden City with thriving industries, livable ecology, rural civilization, effective governance, and affluent life is gradually unfolding.
Changes in the economy have led to stronger momentum and better quality and efficiency. Lanzhou's economic performance has been stable and improving, with simultaneous enhancements in the speed, quality, and efficiency of development, and its supporting role in the province's economic growth has become more prominent. The previous situation of an overly traditional industrial structure and over-reliance on outdated growth drivers is rapidly changing. Technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and reform and opening up have become the main engines driving development. The "3+2" modern industrial system is being accelerated, traditional industries are transforming towards high-end, intelligent, and green development, emerging industries are growing rapidly, and new productive forces are constantly emerging, effectively addressing the predicament of an hollowed-out industry.
The whole city has closely focused on the key tasks of "ten foundational efforts", paid close attention to project construction, investment promotion, and enterprise services. The effectiveness of the "161" scientific and technological innovation system has been continuously released, the innovation vitality has been fully flowing, and the foundation for high-quality development has become more solid, the momentum has become stronger, and the prospects have become broader.
Changes in the city have made it more visually appealing and of better quality. The banks of the Yellow River have become more beautiful, and the entire land of Jincheng has become brighter. With the in-depth implementation of urban renewal initiatives, old residential communities have taken on a new look, back streets and alleys have become clean and tidy, street gardens can be seen everywhere, and the Yellow River Scenic Belt has become more charming. The old city not only has an attractive "outer appearance" but also a solid and profound "inner quality". Demonstration zones for rural revitalization have been connected into clusters, and a picture of harmonious and beautiful villages is slowly unfolding. All the people affected by the flash floods in Yuzhong County have moved into safe and warm new homes in advance, and the appearance of both urban and rural areas has taken on a completely new look.
The ecological environment of Jincheng continues to improve. "Lanzhou Blue" has become the norm, the quality of greening has been continuously enhanced, the living environment has been significantly improved, and citizens' sense of belonging, pride, and happiness have been continuously strengthened. The outside world's attention, recognition, and praise for Lanzhou have been rising steadily.
Changes in the environment have led to greater vitality and stronger appeal. The business environment is improving for the better, with the reform of "streamlining administration, delegating power, strengthening regulation, and improving services" advancing in depth. Approvals have become simpler, supervision stronger, and services better. The "waiter-style" service has been effectively implemented, making it more convenient for enterprises to handle affairs, more assured in their operations, and more confident in their development. The level of opening up to the outside world continues to rise. The combined efforts of the "four foreign-related" (foreign trade, foreign investment, overseas investment, and foreign economic cooperation) linkage have been precisely exerted, resulting in more complete opening-up platforms, broader cooperation channels, and more efficient internal and external linkage. Lanzhou is transforming from an inland hinterland to a frontier of opening up.
In every corner of the city, a number of high-quality enterprises have settled and taken root, a batch of major projects are accelerating their construction, the number of business entities continues to grow, and the "soft power" of the development environment is being transformed into the "hard support" for leaping forward and catching up.
Changes in work style have led to greater drive and stronger sense of responsibility. The most profound change in a city lies in the transformation of people's spirit, vitality, and morale; the most enduring driving force for development is the change in the work style of the cadre team. Over the past two-plus years, the majority of Party members and cadres in the city have weathered trials, gained experience, strengthened their capabilities, and enhanced their skills in practical work. Their ideological concepts have been continuously updated, their abilities and skills have been steadily improved, and their work style has significantly changed. Path dependence has been broken, empiricism has been abandoned, and the fear of difficulties has been overcome. "Implementers, doers, and pragmatists" have become their distinctive hallmarks.
From government agencies to grassroots units, from officials to the general public, the atmosphere for getting things done and starting businesses has become thicker, and the drive to learn from each other, catch up, and strive for advancement has grown stronger. Changes in work style are leading changes in development, and enhanced capabilities are promoting the prosperity of undertakings.
With a strong wind propelling us forward on a journey of ten thousand miles, we set off again with a heavy responsibility weighing a thousand jun. The year 2026 marks the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan", and Lanzhou has stood at a new starting point, ready to make breakthroughs and catch up by leaps and bounds.
On the new journey, Lanzhou will always foster the character of "seeking truth from facts", adhere to proceeding from reality in all matters, take solid work as the boat and responsibility as the oar. It will always uphold the pursuit of "striving for the forefront", emancipate the mind, dare to be the first, forge ahead with determination, lead the breakthrough in development through ideological emancipation, and promote staying at the forefront by working solidly.
The whole city will adopt a striving attitude of "starting with a sprint and opening with a decisive battle", be pragmatic and pioneering, be good at acting and achieving results, unite as one, move forward courageously, continuously create a new situation in building a strong provincial capital, strive to compose a chapter of Lanzhou in the Chinese path to modernization, make the banks of the Yellow River more beautiful, make the land of Jincheng more prosperous, and make people's lives happier. (Wang Yuyu)