Jilin Province Develops Natural Mineral Water Industry in Changbai Mountains While Enforcing Strict Conservation Measures

Key summary

Natural mineral water sources in the deep forests of the Changbai Mountains in Jilin Province flow through underground volcanic rock layers for approximately 50 years before emerging at the surface. The water maintains a constant temperature of about 7 degrees Celsius year-round and contains naturally dissolved carbon dioxide. To balance industrial growth with conservation, local authorities have implemented strict resource controls, including production limits based on usage thresholds, 24-hour monitoring systems covering forest ecosystems and pollution levels, and registration requirements for new enterprises. Projects with annual production capacity below 200,000 tons or insufficient investment in machinery are ineligible for registration. The government also supports qualified operators through comprehensive services, technical assistance, and market expansion, citing Qianyangqian's project in Fusong County as an example of a facility meeting the 200,000-ton annual capacity threshold.