Amid the winter scenery along the Mudanjiang River, a wave of development surges. From towering cranes at training bases to bustling construction sites for water conservancy projects, and from semiconductor workshops gleaming with innovation to thriving cultural towns—this land brimming with promise is undergoing a profound transformation driven by enhanced capabilities and refined work styles, injecting continuous vitality into urban development.
The vibrant development landscape reflects the significant shift in the capabilities and work ethic of Mudanjiang’s officials. Faced with challenges such as limited fiscal resources constraining education investment, traditional industries in need of upgrading, and untapped tourism potential, Mudanjiang has tackled these issues head-on by strengthening its workforce’s capabilities, empowering officials to overcome obstacles on the front lines.
**Education Breakthrough: From "Bottleneck" to "Benchmark"** In Mudanjiang’s development zone, the construction of the Preschool Education Training Center at Heilongjiang Preschool Education College is in full swing. Spanning 216,000 square meters, this project is set to become a landmark for preschool education in the province next year. "The municipal government allocated land at no cost, coordinated funding, and streamlined approvals, enabling this 100-million-yuan project to proceed swiftly," said President Zhou Shihua, standing before the blueprint.
Heilongjiang Preschool Education College, one of China’s earliest institutions of its kind, had long struggled with inadequate facilities. The turning point came when Mudanjiang prioritized supporting higher education as a test of its governance capabilities. After an inspection by city leaders, a task force was formed with the consensus: "We cannot let institutions be held back by space or funding."
The government swiftly allocated land and minimized compensation costs. "Officials braved freezing temperatures three times for on-site surveys, saving us critical funds," Zhou noted. Approval processes were accelerated—what typically took 26 working days was completed in just four, with construction permits issued within one day.
Deeper systemic reforms followed. Biannual university forums and quarterly coordination meetings, led by the deputy mayor with over a dozen departments in attendance, ensured prompt problem-solving. When the college raised a heating pipeline issue this spring, the development zone resolved it the next day.
With government support, the college established Heilongjiang’s first vocational education group for infant care, operating six kindergartens under a "school + group" model. These facilities, praised for affordability and quality, now serve over 1,000 children. "All teachers graduated from our college, creating a talent pipeline," Zhou said, adding that the group hosts 5,000 interns annually, with top graduates joining as staff.
**Industrial Leap: From "Small Enterprise" to "Top 10 in the Sector"** At Beiyi Semiconductor’s facility in Muling, robotic arms precision-cut IGBT chips in ultra-clean environments. In eight years, the company grew from a small firm with 8.18 million yuan in annual output to a national leader in power semiconductors, boasting 732 million yuan in revenue.
This "chip hub" in a border town emerged from a shift in officials’ problem-solving approach. Facing startup hurdles—a six-person team and 7 million yuan capital—Muling officials implemented targeted measures: repurposing idle assets via lease-to-own arrangements, partnering with schools to train technicians, securing subsidies and utility discounts, and connecting the firm with industry giants like BYD and Gree for orders.
A pivotal moment came when early-stage funding gaps threatened survival. "The development zone intervened to arrange loans, saving us," recalled General Manager Li Chengxian. Today, with government backing, Beiyi launched a 350-million-yuan second-phase project in 2022, achieving full production across nine lines by 2023 (514 million yuan output) and reaching 732 million yuan in 2024.
A 2.08-billion-yuan wafer fab, now under construction, will establish Northeast China’s first full-chain power semiconductor park by 2026. "Enterprise pain points are our priorities," said Liu Chao of Muling Economic Development Zone, noting that 44 engineers were recruited to bolster R&D.
**Water Conservancy Milestone: From "30-Year Dream" to "Innovation Model"** At the Linhai Reservoir site along the Hailang River, cranes dot the skyline. This 3.886-billion-yuan national project will supply 180 million cubic meters of water annually to Mudanjiang and Hailing, enhance flood control, and irrigate 153,700 acres of farmland.
To overcome geological complexities and funding shortages, Hailing pioneered bank-guaranteed reclamation deposits and a novel public-private partnership model, blending social capital with government oversight.
Technical breakthroughs included deploying China’s smallest dual-shield TBM ("Dayu"), cutting tunnel time from 48 months to 30, and solving cold-weather concrete curing via ice-cooling and AI-driven temperature control. Digital twin systems and modular templates further halved construction timelines. By November, the TBM had advanced 4.19 km, exceeding targets.
**Tourism Reinvention: From "Single Attractions" to "All-for-One Tourism"** In Hengdaohezi Town, guesthouses like Yeka—a five-star B&B blending European design with local culture—epitomize Mudanjiang’s tourism revival. "Officials guided us through licensing without unnecessary delays," said owner Ding Jiandong, a returnee from Guangzhou. His fully booked property mirrors the town’s rise, with daily visitors surging to 3,000–5,000 and lodgings multiplying from 20 to 90.
Marketing innovations, like a viral "Winter Ballad" campaign with Xiaohongshu, and 24/7 tourist complaint resolution fueled growth. Hailing City expanded offerings with forest trains and immersive games, crafting six premium routes. Mudanjiang’s 30 curated itineraries and "four beauties" tourism framework—backed by digital platforms and strict service oversight—drew a 30% rise in visitors and spending this year, earning accolades like "Top 10 Ice-Snow Tourism Cities."
As capability-building translates into tangible progress, Mudanjiang is scripting a revitalization story where soft skills drive hard results—melting barriers with determined action along its storied riverbanks.
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