The press conference with Chinese and international journalists

 

From May 21 to 23, 2025, the State Council Information Office (SCIO) organized a media tour in Hubei Province focused on high-quality development along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. More than 40 journalists participated, including those from major media outlets in the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Iraq, Qatar, Japan, and other countries.

 

On May 22, a press briefing with Chinese and international journalists was held in Wuhan. Cheng Yongwen, Vice Governor of Hubei Province, delivered a presentation and responded to questions from the media.

 

Cheng noted that General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited Hubei six times, and during his most recent visit in November 2024, he called on the province to “strive to take the lead in the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.” In recent years, Hubei has thoroughly studied and implemented President Xi’s important speeches and instructions, firmly placing high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt at the center of its overall strategy.

 

Cheng highlighted the province’s region-specific strategies to develop new quality productive forces, noting that Hubei’s GDP has exceeded 6 trillion yuan, and that solid progress has been made toward high-quality development. Key areas of focus include:

 

l Innovation-driven development: Accelerating the creation of a nationally influential hub for science and technology.

l Industrial modernization: Building a modern industrial system that reflects Hubei’s strengths.

l Ecological priority: Promoting green and low-carbon development.

l Deepened reform and opening-up: Developing Hubei into an inland hub for openness and reform.

 

Following the presentation, Cheng Yongwen –– together with officials from relevant provincial departments –– took questions from journalists on a range of topics, including technological innovation, industrial development, inland openness, and ecological protection in the Yangtze River Basin.