North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region has completed its first national geographical indication (GI) protection demonstration zone, with its Wuyuan Sunflower National GI Protection Demonstration Zone officially approved by the China National Intellectual Property Administration.

The approval was part of a batch of 54 national GI demonstration zones nationwide.

Approved for preparatory construction in August 2021, Wuyuan zone has focused on GI protection, quality upgrading, and industrial development. Through strong institutions, unified standards, brand building, and cultural and tourism integration, Wuyuan has formed a replicable model in which GI protection drives high-quality industrial growth.

By 2024, the sunflower industry's full industrial chain in Wuyuan generated an annual output value of 6.2 billion yuan ($885.71 million), accounting for 43 percent of local GDP. The sector employed about 150,000 people, and raised farmers' income by 150–200 yuan per mu.

Products are exported to Japan, South Korea, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. Exports reached 123,000 metric tons in 2024, generating $220 million in foreign exchange earnings. Wuyuan has also been named China’s first national export quality and safety demonstration zone for sunflower products.

The zone has established a standardized system for the use of the GI logo, with 85 local producers authorized to use it and a usage rate exceeding 90 percent. A full-chain quality control system covering planting, processing and sales has been put in place, supported by 97 standards, residue testing facilities in all townships, and full traceability through the national agricultural product quality safety system. Product pass rates have remained above 98 percent.

In addition, Wuyuan has developed the country’s largest sunflower-themed park, covering more than 2,000 mu (133.33 hectares), with its sunflower-themed square certified by Guinness World Records as the largest of its kind in the world. Local enterprises have integrated production lines into tourism and study tour routes, boosting e-commerce, logistics and seasonal tourism, and generating about 100 million yuan annually in added value.