The spotlight shone on one of the country's dairy powerhouse regions at the China international health industry summit which was held in Beijing on Aug 7 – an event that drew more than 300 representatives from national government authorities and enterprises.

Among dignitaries attending the summit were Xu Zhengzhong, deputy chief editor of the People's Daily, Zhang Jiandong, deputy mayor of Beijing and Bi Guochen, deputy mayor of Hohhot.

Ma Xuejun, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Inner Mongolia Committee, told the summit that Inner Mongolia autonomous region was generally acknowledged as being rich in beef, lamb, milk, corn and potatoes – in addition to being the largest base for producing, processing and exporting dairy products in China.

Over the past few years the rapid development of dairy corporations, such as Yili Group, has provided a major boost to the region's dairy industries, he noted.

According to Ma, the autonomous region will further upgrade its agriculture and animal husbandry. He said it will establish several industrial belts for agricultural and livestock products and the region was dedicated to taking the lead to revitalize dairy industries by 2025.

As the co-organizer Yili Group, in alliance with more than 20 global food companies, formed a "global union for cooperation on health" during the summit and will employ joint efforts to promote the advancement of global health.