Published by ChinaMNC · Li

Gansu Official’s Inspections Highlight Local Growth Priorities for Foreign Founders

A senior Gansu official’s October 2025 inspections in Longnan and Gannan prefectures underscore regional development goals—e-commerce, specialty agriculture, disaster resilience, and ethnic unity—that foreign founders should understand when operating in China’s less-developed regions.

What the Inspection Covered

From October 17 to 19, Wu Xiaojun, Secretary of the Gansu Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee, conducted inspections in Longnan City and Gannan Prefecture. The visit focused on ethnic unity, grassroots social governance, specialty industry development, and the interaction between high-quality development and high-level security. For foreign founders considering company registration or operations in Gansu or similar inland regions, the official’s priorities offer a practical window into local policy direction.

Key Development Themes Relevant to Business

Ethnic Unity and Social Governance

Wu emphasized the need to strengthen the sense of community for the Chinese nation, promote exchanges and integration among ethnic groups, and deepen public education on ethnic unity. He also called for advancing the “five full coverage” action in mass work. In religious affairs, he stressed adherence to the sinicization of religion and law-based management, with regular education on national, civic, and legal awareness. These points signal that local governments in ethnic regions prioritize social stability and legal compliance—factors foreign investors should factor into community relations and workforce management.

Ecological Protection and Green Development

The official urged unswerving pursuit of an eco-priority, green development path, strengthening ecological protection and restoration, and cultivating specialty industries that enrich local residents. For foreign founders in agriculture, tourism, or clean energy, this indicates regulatory support for green projects but also strict environmental oversight.

Public Services and Disaster Resilience

Wu highlighted the need to improve public services in education, healthcare, and employment, care for disadvantaged groups, and resolve disputes. He also stressed a people-first, life-first approach to geological disaster prevention, including hazard identification, project construction, and relocation of residents from high-risk areas—ensuring they “can move out, stay stable, have jobs, and develop.” Foreign companies with operations in mountainous areas should incorporate disaster risk management into their planning.

E-Commerce and Agricultural Modernization

At the Longnan E-Commerce Industry Service Center in Wudu District, the Jishiba Pepper Modern Industrial Park, and Gansu Hualing Dairy Co., Ltd. in Hezuo City, Wu engaged with e-commerce practitioners and business leaders. He learned about industry development, technology R&D, enterprise operations, and mechanisms linking farmers to enterprises. His guidance included:

• E-commerce upgrading: Learn from advanced regions, improve service systems, enrich new business formats, and promote quality and efficiency in e-commerce.
• Farmer participation: Encourage e-commerce practitioners to go to the agricultural frontlines, engage in standardized planting, deep processing, and brand packaging, and cultivate “new farmers” who understand agriculture, markets, and sales.
• Quality control: Strengthen quality management across production, processing, and sales to build nationally recognized agricultural brands.
• Value chain extension: Improve warehousing, logistics, and exhibition systems to create a national commodity distribution center and help premium agricultural products reach broader markets.
• Farmer linkage: Improve mechanisms that connect farmers to enterprises, strengthen village collective economies, and consolidate poverty alleviation gains.

These points are directly relevant to foreign founders in agribusiness, e-commerce, or logistics: local governments are actively supporting integrated supply chains, brand building, and farmer-inclusive business models.

Red Tourism and Cultural Integration

Noting the 90th anniversary of the Red Army’s Long March victory, Wu visited the Hadapu Red Army Long March Memorial Hall in Tanchang County. He called for preserving red cultural resources, promoting red culture, and integrating it with the tourism industry to benefit local people. Foreign founders in tourism or cultural sectors may find opportunities in heritage-related projects, though they should respect local historical narratives.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

• Local policy alignment: Gansu’s leadership prioritizes ethnic unity, ecological protection, and inclusive growth. Foreign companies should align their CSR and community engagement with these goals.
• E-commerce and agriculture: The inspection signals strong support for e-commerce platforms, agricultural modernization, and logistics networks—sectors where foreign expertise and investment are welcome.
• Compliance and risk management: Emphasis on law-based governance and disaster resilience means foreign operators should maintain robust legal and safety protocols.
• Public services: Improvements in education, healthcare, and employment may ease hiring and retention challenges in less-developed areas.

While the article does not detail specific incentives or regulations for foreign investment, it reflects the provincial government’s development philosophy. Foreign founders should monitor local implementation policies and consult professional advisors for registration and operational requirements.

Call to action: Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.