Hubei sends a strong signal of high-quality development to the world

Hubei province showcased its momentum in innovation, green development and opening-up during an Open Day event of the Hubei delegation to the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress on March 6.

The plenary meeting reviewed the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and drew wide attention from Chinese and foreign media. Deputies answered questions on topics ranging from optoelectronic information and artificial intelligence to industrial upgrading, Yangtze River conservation, and tourism development.

Innovation-driven industries have become a major highlight of Hubei's growth.

Ma Xinqiang, an NPC deputy and chairman of Huagong Technology, said Guanggu in Wuhan has gathered more than 16,000 optoelectronic companies, pushing the province's optoelectronic information industry to a scale exceeding 1 trillion yuan ($138 billion), with products exported to over 100 countries.

Hubei is also expanding its presence in the artificial intelligence sector.

Huang Li, chairman of Guide Infrared, said the province has begun building a humanoid robot industrial chain, with nine related enterprises and an 85 percent localization rate of key components.

Deputies also highlighted the transformation of traditional industries through technology.

Xu Weilin, an academician and Party secretary of Wuhan Textile University, cited basalt fiber used in the Chang'e 6 lunar probe as an example, noting that advanced materials from the textile sector are now applied in fields such as firefighting equipment and lightweight vehicles.

Green development remains a defining feature of Hubei's progress.

Wang Qiong, an NPC deputy and engineer at Wuhan City Investment Group, said the province has completed the remediation of 12,480 sewage outlets along the Yangtze River, while water quality in the Wuhan section of the Yangtze and Han rivers has remained at Class II for six consecutive years.

As an inland province becoming increasingly open to the world, Hubei is also boosting cultural tourism.

Through innovation, ecological protection and greater openness, deputies said Hubei is accelerating its high-quality development and presenting new opportunities to the world.