Baotou, the largest city in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, hosted a press conference in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China in Hohhot on Sept 19, according to a Baotou Daily report.

Zhao Jiangtao, mayor of Baotou, made a press release at the event and answered a number of questions raised by reporters and journalists.

More than 60 journalists from more than 20 news outlets were invited to participate in the event.

Zhao Jiangtao said during the press release that Baotou is one of China’s key industrial cities.

China’s first tank since the founding of People’s Republic of China was produced in Baotou, as was the first ack-ack, atomic bomb, and nuclear fuel for hydrogen bombs. One third of all railway materials used in China's high-speed rails were also produced in the city. The city has made outstanding contributions to national industrial revitalization and the strengthening of national defense, and it has been a major driver of North China’s economy since 1949.

Over the past several decades, Baotou has seen significant social and economic development due to favorable government policies and a robust environment for growth.

In 2018, Baotou’s GDP saw a year-on-year growth of 6.8 percent. The per capita disposable income of urban residents in the city hit 47,407 yuan ($6,690), up 7.2 percent year-on-year, while the per capita disposable income of rural residents reached 17,435 yuan, up 9.7 percent year-on-year.

Reporters present at the event asked questions about urban planning, new mechanisms for the integration of enterprises and land, ecological civilization construction housing security, the development of the rare earth industry, and the management of urban construction.

The questions were answered by Zhao and Zhang Jianzhong, deputy mayor of Baotou.

An exhibition showcasing Baotou’s achievements was also held during the event in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China.

Zhao Jiangtao (middle), mayor of Baotou, discusses the socio-economic development of Baotou at a press conference held in Hohhot, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Sept 19. [Photo/nmg.gov.cn]