Silk Road spirit thrives in Ningxia

The permanent conference site for the China-Arab Expo, which is designed in the shape of a Muslim hat, was completed this year in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region. Photos by Zou Hong / China Daily

What specialties from Ningxia do you want to introduce to China Daily readers?

Li: Ningxia is small in size but very special. We say that Ningxia has two "name cards". One is a region with its people united yet from different ethnic groups, and religion practiced peacefully. The other is an ecologically favored region, with blue sky, fertile land, and clean water. Ningxia is proud of the cultures it bears and breeds, namely, the Yellow River culture, the Hui habitat culture, the mystic Xixia culture and the rich history dating back to 1936 when the Communist Party set up the autonomous county of Xihaigu.

Moreover, Ningxia is well-known for six specialties. The wolfberry, wine grapes, melons, vegetables, grassland and husbandry have already built up Ningxia's brand; the coal-to-chemicals industry has taken shape with the successful operation of the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base; alternative energy, such as solar and wind energy, has great potential; the modern textile industry is booming here; the tourism industry thrives on its uniqueness; and the information industry is developing fast.

Dynamic Ningxia is full of energy and has a bright future ahead. I hope people in China and around the world can look at Ningxia, know it and visit Ningxia. I also hope China Daily and other media can report more about Ningxia to help it walk its way to the world.

We noticed that international media recently reported a lot about wines made in Ningxia, and the international community is expecting more surprises from the region. What do you think about the wine industry in Ningxia?

Li: The Ningxia Helan Mountain East Foot wine region is situated between latitudes 37 to 39, a golden belt for the world's premier grape growing. It benefits from favorable sunshine, temperature, irrigation and soil conditions free from pollution. Wine grapes grow rich and full in scent and appearance. The grapes accumulate a high level of sugar and appropriate level of acid. It is one of the best regions for growing top wines. And wines have become the international trademark of Ningxia. In 2003, the region was listed as an original zone for the production of wines in China. In 2013, the region was included in the World Atlas of Wine.

Ningxia grows a total of 30,666 hectares of wine grapes now, producing 190,000 metric tons of wine. We have 58 chateaus established in the region. We learned from the experience of Bordeaux and manage chateaus by ranking them to ensure quality in line with industry best practices. We will find ways to link the wine industry with tourism, since Ningxia has great cultural and natural tourist resources. Chateau tours, wine tasting, grape harvesting, shopping and other programs will be developed to build the Ningxia wines brand. By 2020, we will grow 66,666 hectares of grapes, with more than 100 chateaus, to generate 100 billion yuan ($15.63 billion) and 100,000 jobs in the industry. We aim to build Ningxia into the wine capital of the East.

Contact the writers at wanghuazhong@chinadaily.com.cn