Why China is sending southern officials north to its rusting economic front lines

More than a dozen senior cadres from the central government and powerhouse provinces have taken up new northern posts this year alone

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A series of central government and southern officials have been given the job of helping revitalise the country’s former heavy industry heartland. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 6:00pm, 17 Sep 2024

China is trying to bring new economic life to its northeastern rust belt by parachuting in cadres from the upper ranks of the central government and more prosperous parts of the country.

Since the start of the year, at least a dozen senior officials from central government ministries and the powerhouse provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong have taken up top jobs in Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, and Inner Mongolia, according to a tally by the South China Morning Post.

Most of these officials have been tasked with developing industry and information technology, trade, science and education and business – heeding Chinese President Xi Jinping’s call last year to revitalise the rust belt region through exchanges.

These northern provinces were important engines of economic growth during the planned economy era as hubs for large state-owned enterprises in industries such as steel, cars, shipbuilding and military equipment.

However, the region has been left behind in the global shift towards hi-tech industries and services.

Beijing has made it a priority to convert its once-powerful cluster of SOEs by shifting centres of heavy industry to advanced manufacturing. This aims to supercharge the weak local economy while making progress towards technological autonomy, accomplishing two major goals at once.