Key Insights
Gansu Province is located in northwestern China at the upper reaches of the Yellow River, situated at the convergence of the Loess Plateau, Inner Mongolia Plateau, and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. With a land area of 425,900 square kilometers, Gansu features a diverse landscape of mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys, deserts, and Gobi.
Positioned at a critical juncture of the ancient Silk Road, Gansu serves as an important gateway for China's westward opening and a strategic hinterland for the country's "dual circulation" development pattern, with a multi-directional opening pattern taking shape that emphasizes land-sea connectivity and westward orientation.
Gansu: China's Northwestern Gateway and Resource Treasure
Gansu Province is situated in northwestern China at the upper reaches of the Yellow River. With a land area of approximately 425,900 square kilometers, Gansu features a diverse and beautiful natural landscape where mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys, deserts, and Gobi are interspersed.
Gansu's Strategic Positioning:
- Important gateway for China's westward opening
- Strategic hinterland for the "dual circulation" development pattern
- Critical juncture on the ancient Silk Road
- Multi-directional opening pattern with land-sea connectivity
Abundant Resource Endowment
Gansu possesses rich and concentrated resources that provide a solid foundation for industrial development. The province ranks first nationally in reserves of 11 minerals including nickel and cobalt, while coal, petroleum, natural gas, and gold reserves rank among the top in China. Additionally, Gansu's wind energy and photovoltaic technology development capacity rank 3rd and 1st in the country, respectively.
Gansu's Human Resources (2024)
| Category | Scale | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 24.9 million | Abundant labor resources |
| Higher Education Institutions | 49 institutions | Comprehensive talent training |
| Graduate Education Institutions | 14 institutions | Advanced research and innovation |
Investment Attraction Policies
Gansu has established a comprehensive policy framework to attract and support investment, with regulations at both the provincial and departmental levels providing various incentives and support measures.
Key Policy Framework
Provincial Investment Incentives (2024)
Opinions on Further Strengthening Investment Attraction Work in the New Situation
Document No.: Gan Ban Fa [2024] No. 6
Economic Development Zone Support (2023)
Notice on Supporting National Economic and Technological Development Zones to Innovate and Improve to Better Play a Demonstration Role
Document No.: Gan Shang Wu Wai Zi Fa [2023] No. 53
R&D Center Incentives (2023)
Notice on Implementing the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology's Measures to Further Encourage Foreign Investment in R&D Centers
Document No.: Gan Shang Wu Wai Zi Fa [2023] No. 72
Foreign Investment Promotion (2023)
Implementation Opinions on Promoting Foreign Investment Stability, Expansion, and Quality Improvement
Document No.: Gan Shang Wu Wai Zi Fa [2023] No. 158
Foreign Investment Environment Optimization (2023)
Several Measures on Further Optimizing the Foreign Investment Environment and Increasing Efforts to Attract Foreign Investment
Document No.: Gan Shang Wu Wai Zi Fa [2023] No. 317
Key Industries for Development
Gansu is known as the "cradle of China's petrochemical industry" and has developed a relatively complete industrial system centered around petrochemicals, non-ferrous metallurgy, coal power, machinery manufacturing, and electronics. The province is home to a number of large industrial enterprises including Lanzhou Petrochemical, Jinchuan Metallurgy, Baiyin Non-ferrous, Jiuquan Iron and Steel, Changqing Oilfield, and Tianshui Huatian Technology.
Traditional Industrial Base
- Petrochemical Industry
- Non-ferrous Metallurgy
- Coal and Electric Power
- Machinery Manufacturing
- Electronics and Electrical Equipment
Emerging Industries
- New Energy Equipment Manufacturing
- New Materials
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Biopharmaceuticals
- Digital Economy
Major Industrial Enterprises
- Lanzhou Petrochemical
- Jinchuan Metallurgy
- Baiyin Non-ferrous
- Jiuquan Iron and Steel
- Changqing Oilfield
- Tianshui Huatian Technology
Strategic Advantages for International Investors
Gansu offers unique advantages that make it an attractive destination for specific types of investment and business development:
- Strategic Location on the Silk Road: As a key node on the ancient Silk Road and China's Belt and Road Initiative, Gansu provides unique opportunities for businesses engaged in cross-border trade and international cooperation.
- Abundant Mineral Resources: With leading reserves in 11 minerals including nickel and cobalt, Gansu offers significant opportunities in mining, processing, and related manufacturing industries.
- Renewable Energy Potential: Ranking 3rd nationally in wind energy and 1st in photovoltaic technology development capacity, Gansu presents exceptional opportunities for clean energy investment and development.
- Established Industrial Base: As the "cradle of China's petrochemical industry" with a relatively complete industrial system, Gansu provides a solid foundation for manufacturing and industrial investment.
- Emerging Sector Growth: Rapidly growing new industries including new energy equipment manufacturing, new materials, advanced manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, and digital economy offer diverse investment opportunities.
- Comprehensive Policy Support: Multiple provincial and departmental policies provide incentives and support for foreign investment, R&D centers, and business development.
- Rich Human Resources: With 49 higher education institutions and 14 graduate education institutions, Gansu offers access to a substantial talent pool for various industries.
Conclusion: Gansu as a Strategic Investment Destination
Gansu Province represents a distinctive investment opportunity for businesses seeking to engage with China's northwestern region and the broader Belt and Road Initiative. As a critical juncture on the ancient Silk Road, Gansu combines strategic location advantages, abundant natural resources, and comprehensive industrial foundations with targeted development policies.
The province's traditional strengths in petrochemicals, non-ferrous metallurgy, coal power, machinery manufacturing, and electronics are now complemented by rapidly growing emerging sectors including new energy equipment manufacturing, new materials, advanced manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, and digital economy.
With its positioning as an important gateway for China's westward opening and a strategic hinterland for the country's "dual circulation" development pattern, Gansu offers unique advantages for investors seeking opportunities in resource development, industrial manufacturing, and cross-border trade in China's northwestern region.
Ready to Explore Gansu's Opportunities?
Whether you're interested in mineral resource development, renewable energy projects, traditional manufacturing, or emerging industries, Gansu offers unique investment possibilities backed by supportive policies, abundant resources, and strategic location advantages on the Belt and Road.
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