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