On June 10, 2025, a delegation from Songyuan City, Jilin Province, visited the Japan Jilin Chamber of Commerce for in-depth exchanges on Songyuan’s economic and social development, key industrial cooperation, and investment opportunities in the new energy sector. The delegation was led by Liu Yingjie, Vice Mayor of Songyuan City, accompanied by Zhang Xianhui, Director of the Municipal Energy Bureau, and Li Limei, Director of the Commerce Bureau. The delegation was warmly received by Xu Yongzhu, President of the Japan Jilin Chamber of Commerce, Chief Vice President Wang Zhigang, Vice President Zhang Xiaoguang, and others.
Vice Mayor Liu Yingjie noted that Songyuan is one of the youngest prefecture-level cities in Jilin Province. In recent years, relying on its geographical, resource, and policy advantages, the city has focused on developing three pillar industries: new energy, modern agriculture, and ecological tourism, injecting growing vitality into its economy.
He gave a detailed introduction to Songyuan’s hydrogen industry, describing Songyuan as a “rising star of hydrogen energy in Northeast China.” The city boasts 38 million kilowatts of wind and solar resources—33% of Jilin’s total—making it a true “green electricity treasury.” With a new energy grid-connected capacity of 5.07 million kilowatts, Songyuan reduces carbon emissions by over one million tons annually, providing a solid foundation for hydrogen development. The city also has a strong chemical industry base, with two provincial-level chemical parks offering full industrial chain services—from raw material supply to product conversion—for hydrogen projects. Notably, the first large-scale wind-to-hydrogen project in Northeast China was launched in Changling County, Songyuan. Songyuan’s unique hydrogen advantages drew strong interest from major Japanese corporations such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Marubeni, and Sumitomo during this visit.
Zhang Xianhui, Director of the Energy Bureau, highlighted the city’s strengths in wind and photovoltaic power. She pointed out that the current cost of green electricity investment in Songyuan ranges between RMB 0.16–0.17 per kWh, with overall industrial electricity prices just above RMB 0.40 per kWh, greatly enhancing affordability and competitiveness for large-scale users. With unique geographical, policy, industrial, and platform advantages, Songyuan is an ideal location for developing the new energy industry.
Commerce Bureau Director Li Limei presented Songyuan’s urban foundation and development potential with detailed figures. Covering 22,000 square kilometers and home to 2.25 million residents, Songyuan is known as a “granary, meat storehouse, fish land, and oil sea.” Its annual grain output reaches 16 billion jin, livestock and poultry exceed 50 million head, and Chagan Lake produces 500 million jin of fish annually. Songyuan also hosts the Jilin Oilfield, producing over 5 million tons of crude oil annually, with proven reserves of 1.63 billion tons and natural gas reserves exceeding 137.7 billion cubic meters. In terms of transportation, the city has 6 expressways, 7 railways, 14 national and provincial highways, and Chagan Lake Airport, which connects to 15 cities—demonstrating significant locational advantages.
Culturally and ecologically, Songyuan is home to Chagan Lake and Qian’an Mud Forest, with rich natural and cultural resources. As an important cradle of Manchu-Mongol culture, it has vast prospects for eco-tourism. Modern agriculture is also a key focus, with integrated, diversified, and mutually reinforcing industrial development.
Chamber President Xu Yongzhu introduced the chamber’s efforts in recent years to promote Sino-Japanese economic cooperation, particularly in hydrogen energy, and pledged to actively foster collaboration between hometown enterprises and Japanese institutions in clean energy. Chief Vice President Wang Zhigang and Vice President Zhang Xiaoguang also shared their views on the chamber’s development and industrial cooperation priorities. Executive Vice President Li Taiquan signed a cooperation intention with a Songyuan cultural and creative enterprise, aiming to bring fish-skin paintings to the international stage.
Overseas Songyuan compatriots in attendance, including Liang Ligang and Li Baocheng, expressed their deep affection for their hometown and their willingness to contribute to its development. Other chamber members such as Liu Xin, Liang Fei, and Sun Jianjun also introduced their enterprises, seeking opportunities for cooperation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Vice Mayor Liu Yingjie sincerely invited overseas Songyuan compatriots and entrepreneurs to “come home often” and to join in caring for, participating in, and contributing to Songyuan’s development, drawing a new blueprint for the revitalization of their shared hometown.
(By Wan Ge)
