The ‘Gemini Constellation’ Shines Bright: A Tale of Twin Cities’ Synergy

The Rise of Chifeng-Tongliao: Mongolia’s Eastern Powerhouse

In a remarkable display of regional cooperation, the “Gemini Constellation” of Chifeng and Tongliao cities has ignited a transformative development journey across Eastern Inner Mongolia. These twin cities, much like the celestial twins Castor and Pollux, are demonstrating how strategic partnership can create something far greater than the sum of its parts.

Major Infrastructure and Economic Milestones

The collaboration has yielded spectacular results, beginning with the 500-kilovolt power transmission project connecting Chifeng’s Balin to Tongliao’s Naiman and extending to Fuxin in Liaoning Province. With an investment of 2.345 billion yuan for the Inner Mongolia section, this critical infrastructure project promises to revolutionize energy distribution across the region.

The second annual Chifeng-Tongliao Entrepreneurship Competition concluded successfully, fostering innovation and business development. Meanwhile, both cities signed groundbreaking judicial collaboration frameworks and established cooperation memorandums for private economic development, creating an environment where businesses can thrive across municipal boundaries.

Environmental Restoration and Connectivity

Perhaps most impressively, the West Liao River has witnessed a miraculous ecological revival. After 25 years of drought, water has finally reached Tongliao’s urban planning section, with 65.03 million cubic meters of water flowing through 135.15 kilometers of the main channel. This environmental success story represents just one aspect of the cities’ shared commitment to sustainable development.

Connectivity between neighboring villages has dramatically improved, with 9 out of 10 previously disconnected roads now completed, symbolizing the breaking down of barriers between communities.

The Strategic Vision Behind the Gemini Partnership

This transformation stems from a strategic decision within the “14th Five-Year Plan” where the Autonomous Region Committee identified Chifeng and Tongliao as regional central cities destined to lead Eastern Inner Mongolia’s high-quality development. Together, these cities account for over 50% of Eastern Inner Mongolia’s economic output, concentrating innovation resources, industrial clusters, and high-end talent.

Their shared geography as eastern gateways connecting to Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, combined with their positions within the Bohai Rim Economic Circle and Northeast Economic Zone, creates unique opportunities for synergistic development.

Comprehensive Collaboration Framework

The cities have established an extensive cooperation framework covering 29 key initiatives across four critical areas:

• Ecological and Environmental Co-governance: Joint pollution control and ecological barrier construction
• Industrial Upgrading and Mutual Promotion: Shared industrial policies and national-level industrial transfer demonstration zones
• Infrastructure Interconnection: High-speed rail corridors, highway projects, and aviation development
• Public Service Sharing: Education, healthcare, pharmaceutical development, and integration

Real People, Real Impact: Stories from the Ground

Wang Weidong: From Farmer to Environmental Champion

Wang Weidong, a villager from Weiliansu Village in Tongliao’s Naiman Banner, represents the human dimension of this transformation. Since April last year, he has joined Elion Ecological Group’s migrant worker team, participating in seedling replanting along the Chifeng-Tongliao border region.

“I can foresee this wasteland and desert transforming into a vast forest,” Wang shares with palpable pride. “We planted these with our own hands—the sense of accomplishment is tremendous.”

Like Wang, 1,200 people in Naiman Banner have become main forces in ecological construction, earning an average annual income of 30,000 yuan while restoring their environment.

Baoyin Jiruhe: Experiencing Seamless Public Services

The collaboration has created tangible convenience for residents like Baoyin Jiruhe from Chifeng’s Ar Horqin Banner, who works in Tongliao. When he needed to handle withdrawal for cross-city loan repayment, the process was remarkably streamlined.

“I didn’t need to travel between cities,” he marveled. “After submitting my application once, the money arrived in my account the same day. This was a wonderful surprise.”

According to Li Yinru, Deputy Section Chief of Tongliao’s Housing Fund Center, the cities have established green channels and eliminated restrictions for cross-city housing purchases and loans. This year alone, Tongliao has processed 21 cross-city transactions totaling over 5 million yuan.

The Future of the Gemini Constellation

The Chifeng-Tongliao collaboration represents more than just regional cooperation—it embodies a new model for urban development where complementary strengths create synergistic outcomes. Like the celestial twins shining brighter together, these cities are demonstrating how strategic partnership can elevate entire regions.

With their shared commitment to ecological restoration, economic development, and improved quality of life for their 7 million residents, the Gemini Constellation of Northern China is indeed shining brighter than ever, illuminating a path toward sustainable regional development that other cities would do well to follow.