Anhui will start over 2000 key projects by 2026

In 2026, Anhui Province will implement an effective investment promotion campaign, with over 2000 key projects starting throughout the year. During the 14th Five Year Plan period, the gross domestic product of Anhui Province has crossed two trillion yuan steps, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%; The revenue of industrial enterprises above designated size has risen to fifth place, entering the ranks of major industrial provinces, and the high-quality development index of the manufacturing industry has risen to sixth place in the country. By 2025, the gross domestic product of Anhui region will reach 5.3 trillion yuan, with a growth rate of 5.5%; The total import and export volume has exceeded one trillion yuan; The actual growth rate of foreign investment utilization ranks first in the country. Editor/Cheng Liting

Guangzhou and Dongguan plan to build a new Dongjiang Channel project

On February 4, 2026, the Development and Reform Commission of Dongguan City released a public announcement before the evaluation of the "Social Stability Risk Analysis Report for the Dongjiang Channel Construction Project (Dongguan Side)". The Dongjiang Passage adopts the standard of first-class highway and urban trunk road, with six lanes in two directions, a design speed of 60km/h, and a total length of 3055m, including a tunnel section of 2535m. The construction content mainly includes road engineering, tunnel engineering, bridge and culvert engineering, water supply and drainage engineering, traffic engineering, lighting engineering, power pipe trench engineering, building engineering, greening engineering, etc. After the project joint review meeting, the total investment was 4.698 billion yuan. The plan is to start construction in January 2027 and open to traffic in June 2030, with a total construction period of 42 months. Editor/Cheng Liting

Spain's 20GW solar silicon wafer factory is about to start construction

Spanish company Tresca recently announced that it will lead the construction of Sunwafes' planned 20GW solar silicon wafer super factory in Spain, with the core goal of accelerating the landing of local production capacity, optimizing green production processes, and driving the growth of high skilled local jobs. Editor/Cheng Liting

Shandong Rushan 500kV substation put into operation

On February 5th, the 500 kV substation in Rushan, Shandong was officially completed and put into operation, which will strongly support the large-scale grid connection and efficient consumption of new energy such as wind power and photovoltaics in the Jiaodong Peninsula. This project is the first 500 kV substation to be put into operation during the 15th Five Year Plan period of Shandong Power Grid. Its operation further improves the backbone network of Shandong Power Grid, enhances regional power supply reliability and clean energy transmission capacity.Editor/Yang Meiling

By 2025, the added value of China's machinery industry will increase by 8.2%

On February 5th, the China Machinery Industry Federation released data showing that the added value of enterprises above designated size in the machinery industry will increase by 8.2% year-on-year in 2025, with a growth rate higher than that of the national industrial and manufacturing industries. The annual automobile production and sales have remained the world's top for 17 consecutive years, with industrial robot production increasing by 28% to 773000 sets. The industry's revenue has exceeded 33 trillion yuan, with a total profit of 1.7 trillion yuan. By the end of 2025, the number of specialized, refined, and new enterprises in the mechanical industry will account for over 30% of the national total. It is expected that the industry will maintain stable operation in 2026, with a main indicator growth rate of about 5.5%.Editor/Yang Meiling

China and Laos jointly declare 2026 as the 'Good Year for China and Laos'

On February 5th, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping replied to General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President Thongloun, jointly announcing that 2026 will be designated as the "China Laos Friendship Year" and launching a series of celebration activities.Editor/Yang Meiling

Noble Group receives $1.3 billion drilling order

Global offshore drilling contractor Noble Corporation announced the acquisition of new contracts for 9 drilling platforms, totaling $1.3 billion. The order includes a new operational contract signed for the semi submersible platform "Noble GreatWhite" in the Norwegian waters, as well as new projects in multiple locations such as Guyana. This move significantly increased the utilization rate of its fleet and consolidated the company's position in major global oil and gas markets.Editor/Gao Xue

Announcement of Wanhua Chemical's 650000 ton lithium iron phosphate project

The environmental impact assessment document for Wanhua Chemical Battery Industry Co., Ltd.'s annual production of 650000 tons of lithium iron phosphate project has been accepted. The project is located in Laizhou, Yantai, Shandong, covering an area of approximately 360000 square meters. After the completion of the project, it will effectively enhance the company's scale and cost advantages in the field of lithium battery materials, and improve its layout in the new energy industry.Editor/Gao Xue

The bid for the renovation of the Southern Xinjiang Railway has been announced

The bidding results for the construction of the expansion and renovation project of the Aksu Bachu section of the Southern Xinjiang Railway have been announced, and the winning candidates for three sections have been determined, with a total amount of approximately 288 million yuan. The project will build 8 new passing stations to enhance the single line transportation capacity. The project is an important measure to improve the South Passage of the Eurasian Continental Bridge and serve the construction of the the Belt and Road.Editor/Gao Xue