The State Council approved the Lanzhou National Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone and the Baiyin High-tech Industrial Development Zone on Feb 11, 2018 to set up a national innovation demonstration zone. The Lanzhou-Baiyin National Innovation Demonstration Zone thus became the first such zone in northwestern China.

The zone fully uses locations, innovative resources and the industrial foundation of Lanzhou and Baiyin to actively and experimentally carry out innovative policies and inspire creative companies.

The two cities are two Gansu locations that boast complete innovation systems and have produced exceptional innovative results. In November 2014, Gansu was approved to set up the Lanzhou-Baiyin scientific and technological innovation reform experimental zone, which has developed large industrial chains of petrochemical engineering, biomedicine and aerospace technology.