Nujiang Economy

1. Economic Structure and Main Industries

• Strong Agricultural Foundation
  Traditionally, the Nujiang region has been primarily an agricultural area. Local farmers cultivate staple grains as well as cash crops (such as tea, fruits, and certain oil crops). The comprehensive agricultural production capacity has steadily improved. In recent years, by adjusting the cropping structure, promoting modern agricultural technologies, and developing specialty agriculture, agricultural income has risen. In some areas, the full industry chain for grass fruit has been developed, creating a competitively advantageous agricultural economic model.

• Industry and Energy Development
  Although the mountainous location and relatively poor transportation conditions once left Nujiang with a weak industrial base, recent years have seen gradual progress in sectors such as hydropower development, mineral resource utilization, and agro-product processing. The construction of hydropower stations and the energy sector have provided support for local industrial development, which in turn has helped drive related industries such as construction, machinery manufacturing, and other secondary sectors.

• Service and Tourism Industries
  Nujiang’s unique natural landscapes (such as the “Three Parallel Rivers” World Natural Heritage site) and rich ethnic cultures offer excellent conditions for the development of tourism and related service industries. In recent years, with increased investment in infrastructure (such as roads, bridges, and ongoing airport construction projects), the tourism and cultural industries have grown rapidly, and the share of the service sector in the economy has gradually increased.

2. Achievements and Data Overview

• Overall Economic Volume and Growth
  According to available data, the regional gross domestic product (GDP) of Nujiang has been steadily increasing in recent years. For example, in 2020 the GDP was approximately 21.073 billion RMB, with a per capita GDP of around 38,141 RMB. Although the overall economic scale is relatively modest compared to other regions in Yunnan Province, the growth rate and structural adjustments indicate a positive trend toward high-quality economic transformation.

• Poverty Alleviation and Leapfrog Development
  The Nujiang region, once burdened with high poverty rates due to challenging geographic conditions and underdeveloped infrastructure, has achieved a historic leap from deep poverty to overall poverty eradication through strong support from national and local policies. Through measures such as relocation for poverty alleviation, employment assistance, and support for agriculture and small enterprises, the number of impoverished people has significantly decreased, and the incomes of urban and rural residents have notably improved.

3. Infrastructure and Policy Support

• Improvements in Transportation and Infrastructure
  Located in a mountainous area, Nujiang once suffered from severe transportation challenges. In recent years, the construction of projects such as the Gaoligong Mountain–Dulong River Tunnel, various river-crossing bridges, and the development of airports (including the operational Lanping Fenghua Airport, as well as the planned Gongshan and Liuku airports) have markedly improved transportation conditions. These infrastructure developments now provide robust support for goods transportation, population mobility, and tourism development.

• Policy Guidance and Industry Support
  The local government has actively implemented “delegation, management, and service” reforms to optimize the business environment and vigorously support the development of private enterprises and small and medium-sized businesses. At the same time, through initiatives such as investment attraction and strengthening economic cooperation with neighboring regions and international border areas, the region is promoting the development of border trade, cross-border tourism, and other distinctive industries.

4. Challenges and Future Prospects

• Geographical and Transportation Limitations
  Although transportation and communication infrastructure have significantly improved compared to the past, the overall conditions in the mountainous region still lag behind those of the plains, and some remote areas continue to face developmental challenges.

• Economic Structural Transformation and Upgrading
  Looking ahead, Nujiang needs to further promote agricultural modernization, develop green energy and industries with higher added value, and leverage its unique natural and cultural resources to enhance tourism services and regional brand competitiveness. This, in turn, will help optimize the overall economic structure.

Overall, the economy of Nujiang in Yunnan is in a critical phase of transitioning from traditional agriculture to a diversified modern economy. With ongoing efforts to boost infrastructure construction, improve policy support, and stimulate market vitality, both the government and various social sectors are laying a solid foundation for the sustained and healthy development of Nujiang’s economy.