Province's GDP currently stands in 22nd place, up from 26th in 2010

When one thinks of Guizhou, the image of a remote province with lush green mountains and ethnic group customs may come to mind. But new images are also coming, thanks to the government's effective measures to develop big data, boost innovation, drive industrial transformation and upgrades as well as deepen reform and opening-up over the past decade.

The southwestern province's GDP reached 1.96 trillion yuan ($309 billion) last year, placing it 22nd out of 31 provincial-level regions on the mainland, up from 26th in 2010.

Fueled by the country's new decision to support Guizhou's high-quality development, the province is now set to blaze a new path for the country's western development program in the new era.

A new guideline, released in January by the State Council, the country's Cabinet, requires building Guizhou into a reform demonstration area for the nation's western development program, an example of how to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements, an inland economy with new levels of openness, an innovation area for digital economic development and a pioneer in ecological progress.

By 2025, Guizhou seeks to further open its economy, consolidate poverty alleviation achievements, bolster rural revitalization, form a modern industrial system and become a national leader in terms of the growth of the digital economy.

By 2035, Guizhou aims to boost international economic cooperation and competitiveness and improve its basic public services, infrastructure and people's well-being.

The new document is part of the country's ongoing efforts to foster high-quality and innovation-driven development, promote more balanced growth, and further deepen reform and opening-up in the nation, said officials and experts.

They said Guizhou is expected to become a key driving force to boost western development, setting an example for other western areas to foster high-quality development and injecting new impetus into the nation's economy.