Ningxia wine pilot zone

China has set up a comprehensive experimental zone for the development and opening-up of the wine and grape industries in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, as the wine-producing region has garnered global attention.

The pilot zone, the first set up in China for wine production, got the green light for its establishment from the State Council in May.

With abundant sunshine, little rainfall and semi-sandy soil, the zone boasts favorable conditions to grow grapes and it is expected to have 67,000 hectares of vineyards in five years and achieve sales revenue of 100 billion yuan ($15.6 billion) annually, according to the plan from the local government.

By 2035, the zone is expected to have 100,500 hectares of vineyards and generate annual sales totaling 200 billion yuan. By then, its scale will be similar to that of Bordeaux, a renowned wine-producing region in France, according to the plan.

The zone aims to become a production base for premier wines and export more products to countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The pilot zone, which covers an area of 502.2 sq km in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains, so far has more than 30 varieties of wine grapes, which is similar to the numbers seen in Bordeaux, as well as in Napa Valley in the United States.