Hohhot, the capital and heart of Inner Mongolia, the autonomous region that stretches across much of China's north, revolutionised urban and industrial synergy with the launch of the Yili Modern Intelligent Health Valley.

This ambitious project focuses on fostering full chain development within the dairy industry, leveraging cutting-edge digital innovations to empower smart city initiatives.

By intertwining green initiatives with technological advancements, Hohhot aims to establish a sustainable and integrated model, positioning itself as a leader in the burgeoning concept of a 'Dairy Silicon Valley' and heralding a transformative era in urban-industry dynamics.

On Monday, a distinguished group of foreign journalists from 23 countries visited the Yili Modern Intelligent Health Valley, recognised as one of the world's top five dairy producers and the largest in Asia.

The visit was organised by the Cyberspace Administration of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and hosted by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) along with Global Times Online as part of the "Travelogue of China" initiative.

The tour began at the National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy in Hohhot, where attendees were welcomed with insights into Inner Mongolia's rapid advancements.

In her opening remarks, Li Peiyan, director of the Cyberspace Administration of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, underscored the area's rising status as one of China's premier tourist destinations, noting its rich cultural and industrial heritage.

Wu Hailong, president of the China Public Diplomacy Association, (CPDA) addressed the gathering, emphasising the unique opportunity that "Travelogue of China" provides for journalists.

He highlighted the Importance of gaining a deeper understanding of China's diverse cultural landscape and ongoing development. Wu also reiterated Inner Mongolia's critical role in bridging China with the international community.

He said Inner Mongolia is an important part of Chinese civilization, a place where grassland and farming civilizations blend and learn from each other. It boasts vast grasslands, flocks of cattle and sheep, and magnificent scenery. It is endowed with abundant resources, ranking among the top in China in wind, solar, coal, and rare earth resources.

Besides, Inner Mongolia ranks first in the country in new energy power generation—something that might surprise many, he added.

The CPDA president also welcomed valuable suggestions from journalists for Inner Mongolia's economic and social development.

Shan Chengbiao, general manager (GM) of Global Times Online, added to the momentum of the event by accentuating Inner Mongolia's significant contributions to China's overall growth and development.

Isu Tuvshin, one of the journalists from the delegation, also spoke on the occasion.

She said that when most people think of Inner Mongolia, they imagine grasslands, yurts, and rich ethnic traditions, and yes, those are very much part of the picture. But today, Inner Mongolia is also a symbol of modernization. 

"It’s leading China’s push for green energy, with vast wind farms and solar panels stretching across the steppe," Isu, a Mongolian journalist, pointed out.

"So now it’s clear that Inner Mongolia is not just moving forward—it’s doing so thoughtfully and inclusively," she added.

Isu also hoped that Inner Mongolia will continue to shine—as a green development leader, a hub of regional cooperation, and a place where culture and innovation walk hand in hand.

Following the opening ceremony, He Jian,  general manager  of the National Centre of Technology Innovation, briefed the journalists about the center's noteworthy achievements and developments.

He said that the centre has incorporated artificial intelligence into all facets of the dairy sector, from improving supply chain to optimising cow management using machine learning and AI learning.

"We have nearly 1,000 products and our main priority is safety along with quality and taste," Jian added.

During the visit, the visiting journalists witnessed firsthand the impressive efficiency of milk production at the facility.

This seamless integration of automation dramatically enhances production efficiency and sets a new benchmark for the dairy industry.

The Yili Modern Intelligent Health Valley, with its state-of-the-art infrastructure and unwavering commitment to innovation, is not only elevating industry standards but also embodying a vision for sustainable development. 

With complete industrial and urban support facilities, the project is expected to deliver greater ecological, social, and economic benefits by 2035, driving employment for more than 350,000 people and creating 140,000 jobs.

These are new standards not only for the dairy industry, but also for agriculture in general. This makes the intelligent health valley even more important for countries like Bangladesh, where a large number of people, tens of millions in fact, still depend on agriculture for their food and daily upkeep. 

What the delegation of foreign journalists witnessed in Inner Mongolia, was nothing if not the future of farming.