The city of Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region.[Photo/VCG]

Hohhot, capital city of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, reported steady development in 2020, with major economic indicators showing relatively good performance despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a government work report delivered at the fourth session of the 15th Hohhot People's Congress held on Feb 22.

Last year was tough for everyone in the city. The abrupt outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic required quick and effective responses from the government. A total of 80 medical staff members were assigned to assist Hubei province, 184 imported confirmed cases were cured, and "zero terminal cases" were seen locally. The city's efforts have since been recognized by the central government.

Work and production was resumed in an orderly manner. In order to ease financial burdens on those enterprises which took the most direct hit from the virus, the government cut fees and taxes amounting to 5.5 billion yuan ($825 million). The city's general public budget revenue reached 21.71 billion yuan, and the regional GDP reportedly hit 280.07 billion yuan.

Meanwhile, the special fund for poverty alleviation exceeded 540 million yuan. Air and water quality continued to improve. And potential governmental debts totaling 19.21 billion yuan were defused. More than 25 billion yuan in fiscal expenditures were saved.

Hohhot also made solid progress in terms of high-quality development. The annual gross crop output, which has been increasing for 17 consecutive years, reached 1,74 million kilograms. The Yili future intelligence and health valley and Mengniu dairy industrial park projects were smoothly pushed forward; the modern service sector quickened its pace in terms of its overall upgrading.

Progress made in ecological construction was encouraging, with 40,400 hectares afforestated. Chilechuan grassland was elected as a "national natural grassland trial zone". Five green factories were built in the city.

The Hohhot government expanded investment in scientific and technological innovation, which totaled 50 million yuan in 2020. The number of billion-yuan-level programs invested in by enterprises was 255.

Hohhot has become a more habitable place for most citizens. The statistics show that 72 old urban communities have been renovated and 36.4 kilometers of thermal pipes have been added to the city's heating system, making it more complete. Nine sightseeing streets have been established to boost local tourism.

Thanks to reform and opening up policies, the city's export and import volume surged to 14.7 billion yuan. The government launched 11 investment promotion campaigns in big cities including Beijing, Hangzhou, Qingdao, Shenzhen, and signed off 83 agreements on local programs.

In addition, the government focused more on people's wellbeing, with spending on public welfare surpassing 70 percent of its general public deposit expenditure. New jobs were also added, totaling 47,400 in urban areas and 277,700 in rural areas.