Despite challenges, Ordos city in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region has demonstrated remarkable economic resilience and momentum in its development throughout 2024.

A solid foundation: Strengthening core industries

By November, Ordos had achieved impressive growth in its core energy outputs: raw coal production rose 6.3 percent, natural gas 1.5 percent, and electricity generation 11.3 percent.

Of the 664 industrial enterprises above a designated size, 145 were energy processing and conversion companies, comprising 21.8 percent.

These firms processed 130.52 million metric tons of raw coal, producing 89.57 million tons of standard coal, with an energy conversion efficiency of 68.6 percent, an improvement of 0.6 percentage points over the previous year. This reflects enhanced energy efficiency and an optimized industrial structure.

Embracing innovation: Emerging industries open new horizons

Ordos prioritized technological innovation to diversify its industrial portfolio. By the end of 2024, the city had deployed 300 autonomous heavy-duty trucks across eight short and mid-haul routes and 182 self-driving mining vehicles in 28 open-pit coal mines.

Seventy autonomous passenger vehicles began operating in urban settings. Nearly 2,000 roadside facilities were upgraded for intelligent transportation, and a local "vehicle-road-cloud integration" computing center was established.

In a groundbreaking move, Inner Mongolia's first large-scale drone cargo route completed test flights at Otog Banner's Ulan General Airport. The drone, the country’s first large fixed-wing model, can carry up to 1.5 tons over a range of 1,200 kilometers, positioning Ordos as a leader in the burgeoning low-altitude economy.

Green transformation: Technology empowering sustainability

In November, Ordos unveiled the world's first 1,000-standard-cubic-meter square-pellet pressurized hydrogen production system at the forefront of green innovation. The system can operate from 20 to 110 percent loads and represents a leap forward in green hydrogen technology.

Meanwhile, Ordos' commitment to renewable energy shines brightly. On Nov 5, the Lanhai Photovoltaic Power Plant – China's largest photovoltaic base in a coal mining subsidence area –  was connected to the grid.

Ordos has installed 5.42 gigawatts of photovoltaic sand-control projects, restoring over 200,000 mu (13,333.33 hectares) of desert land. An additional 30 GW of projects are under construction and are expected to rehabilitate 2 million mu of desert land. These projects exemplify the integration of renewable energy and ecological restoration.

Open for the future: Expanding global connections

The first return China-Europe freight train entered the Ordos Comprehensive Bonded Zone, strengthening ties along the Belt and Road and creating a two-way Central Asia Economic Corridor.

The World New Energy and Materials Conference in Ordos launched seven major technological breakthroughs, including a zero-carbon airport integrating wind, solar, storage, cooling, and heating.

Ordos' globally renowned cashmere also took center stage at Paris Fashion Week, connecting the Yellow River and the Seine through threads of creativity and inspiration. These milestones highlight Ordos' openness and commitment to enhancing its global influence.