The founding conference for Taigu district in Jinzhong city, Shanxi province, takes place on April 26. [Photo/Shanxi Daily] 

The founding conference for the Taigu district of Jinzhong city in North China's Shanxi province was held on April 26, according to local officials. 

Earlier in December 2019, the State Council and Shanxi Provincial Government approved the readjustment of Taigu county into Taigu district. This covers 1,050 square kilometers in central Shanxi, governs 152 villages in six towns and three urban areas and has a population of 320,000. 

Taiyuan boasts a long history and rich culture and is a hometown to Shanxi merchants who were famous businesspeople in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, as well as during the Republic of China period (1912-1949). It was once a primary financial center and banking center in Shanxi province and even for North China. 

In recent years, a series of major economic events such as the China (Shanxi) Special Agricultural Products Trade Fair and the Taigu Forum on Rural Reform have been held and settled in Taigu -- where the State Council approved construction of the Shanxi Jinzhong National Agricultural High-tech Industrial Demonstration Zone. 

Officials said the establishment of Taigu district in Jinzhong city will further accelerate the process of local urbanization, industrialization and modernization.

They said it will expand the development space of Jinzhong city, better integrate itself and Jinzhong city within the Greater Taiyuan Metropolis Circle and realize regional integrated development of central Shanxi's cities.