The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) news conference's Yuncheng special session was held on Aug 25 in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, where Yao Xun, the mayor of Yuncheng, announced plans to use the city's rich cultural heritage, abundant tourism resources, and excellent ecological environment to rapidly develop a cultural-commercial tourism hub.

The 15th Five-Year Plan period is a key phase for Yuncheng to advance high-quality growth and overall transformation. Mayor Yao highlighted that Yuncheng strives to become a leading gateway for industrial transfer, a vibrant tourism hub integrating culture and commerce industries, and an inland portal for opening-up.

In traditional industries, Yuncheng plans to regularly update equipment, redesign processes, upgrade standards, and implement digital and green technological transformations. The goal is to transition industries toward high-end, refined, and eco-friendly operations, targeting a total output value of 250 billion yuan ($37.19 billion) in traditional sectors like steel, coking, non-ferrous metals, and chemicals by 2030.

Vice-Mayor Zhang Rui highlighted plans to systematically build cultural frameworks around Guan Gong, salt, the Yellow River, and ancestral roots, aiming to create a national cultural relic protection and utilization demonstration zone and enhance cultural soft power as a solid industrial foundation.

Zhang also said that Yuncheng will integrate culture and tourism with technology, industry, wellness, sports, and education. By developing emerging sectors like the low-altitude economy, camping, and trunk markets, Yuncheng aims to attract young people and become an appealing city for all.