DHE(SZ:002221) Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-05-22 04:18Core Viewpoint - The city of Maoming, once known as the "Southern Oil City," is undergoing a significant transformation towards a green and sustainable development model, shifting from a resource-extraction economy to a modern ecological city [1][4]. Group 1: Historical Context - Maoming has a rich history tied to China's oil industry, with 5.1 billion tons of oil shale reserves discovered in 1954, which played a crucial role in alleviating the national oil shortage [4]. - The city was home to China's first shale oil refinery established in 1957, contributing significantly to the country's energy needs during its early industrialization [4][7]. - Over 30 years, Maoming extracted 102 million tons of oil shale, producing 2.92 million tons of shale oil, earning it the title of "the first son of the Republic's oil industry" [4][7]. Group 2: Environmental Challenges - The extensive mining activities led to severe ecological damage, with abandoned mining sites becoming polluted and hazardous, prompting a need for environmental restoration [7][8]. - The local government faced challenges in closing down illegal mining operations, which had become a significant economic pillar for the region [7]. Group 3: Green Transformation Initiatives - In 2013, Maoming initiated a project to convert the abandoned mining sites into an ecological park, covering 10.07 square kilometers, to restore the environment and enhance public green spaces [8][11]. - Key restoration efforts included creating a large lake, planting over 8,000 acres of trees, repurposing old factory buildings into museums, and developing infrastructure such as a 40-kilometer ring road [8][11]. - The ecological park has become a popular tourist destination, attracting over 60,000 visitors daily during peak seasons, generating significant economic benefits [11]. Group 4: Future Development Goals - Maoming is developing a zero-carbon industrial park, which will be the world's first to integrate nuclear energy with green chemical production, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 80% [15]. - The park will host projects like the East China Energy alkane resource utilization project and a carbon fiber production facility, contributing to a new materials industry in the region [15]. - The city's transformation reflects a broader strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil, focusing on green energy, new materials, and modern agriculture, positioning Maoming as a model for sustainable development in resource-based cities [15].