Anshan’s Tiexi district in Liaoning province is pinning its hopes for economic revival and urban transformation on a burgeoning sector: the pet industry. “Anshan’s pet industry now boasts an annual revenue of about CNY4 billion to CNY5 billion, and the district accounts for about two-thirds, making it an industry hub,” said Ding Kunbin, Governor of Tiexi district, in an interview with China Daily. Once a key support zone for Ansteel Group, a state-owned steel maker, and a hub for industrial workers, Tiexi now exemplifies the broader industrial transition underway in Northeast China by cultivating emerging sectors such as the pet industry for economic diversification. Ding said the city has several advantages for the pet industry's development. Its climate offers a natural edge for pet breeding with the dry air and sharp seasonal shifts. The industry’s roots trace back to the 1990s, when laid-off workers from state-owned steel enterprises began home-based breeding operations. Later, entrepreneurs scaled up these efforts, accelerating the sector’s growth.
Today, a new generation is driving high-quality development through professional expertise and e-commerce. “Home to China’s most diverse canine gene pool, Anshan preserves around 200 breeds – far above the national average – including rare types unseen elsewhere. This rich resource enables the development of new breeds with enhanced health and aesthetic traits,” Ding said. With China’s aging population and declining marriage rate, the pet industry holds immense potential. The 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper shows that China’s urban pet population reached 120 million in 2024, a 2.1% year-on- year increase. The corresponding market for dogs and cats was valued at CNY300 billion.
In a coordinated push to bolster its emerging pet economy, Tiexi is developing a pet theme park and a pet-friendly hotel, with both projects projected to break ground in 2026. “These facilities aim to support the growing sector and enhance urban pet-friendliness by providing recreational space and solving accommodation challenges for out-of-town visitors traveling with pets,” Ding said. Meanwhile, Tiexi is advancing plans to establish an indoor pet transportation facility integrated with the pet waiting hall at Shenyang Taoxian International Airport. “This initiative will create a dedicated hub for the entire preflight process, including quarantine, secure crating, waiting, and shuttle services directly to the aircraft,” Ding said. Tiexi district has implemented a clear industrial spatial layout, with the south focusing on pet breeding and the north on pet trading, the China Daily reports.
