Maoming has been designated as one of China's five national pilot cities for deepening inclusive financial reforms, according to a guideline jointly issued by seven central government departments, including the People's Bank of China. Maoming is the only selected city in southern China.
The city has a strong agricultural foundation with characteristic industries featuring lychee, tilapia, and southern medicinal herbs. Local financial innovations include specialized credit products such as "Lychee Loans" and "Tilapia Loans," which have effectively promoted rural financing. By July 2025, the balance of agricultural loans reached 107.4 billion yuan, accounting for 37% of total loans.
Maoming has implemented multiple inclusive financial initiatives: establishing comprehensive financial service centers in highway rest areas to provide convenient services for travelers and residents; developing an agricultural insurance system covering over 70 specialty crops, including lychee, longan, and citrus; and integrating data through the "Digital Agricultural Chain" platform, which has facilitated 2.12 billion yuan in loans and generated 2.42 billion yuan in agricultural product sales.
The pilot program outlines nine key tasks: improving rural financial organization systems, expanding financing channels for rural revitalization, strengthening insurance services for agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, supporting the development of modern rural industrial systems, promoting coordinated urban-rural development, facilitating the integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries, enhancing digital inclusive financial services, building a healthier financial ecological environment, and comprehensively strengthening financial supervision.
These efforts will enhance financial service networks, deepen digital transformation, and innovate supply chain financing models. The initiative aims to improve the coverage, accessibility, and satisfaction of inclusive financial services, establishing Maoming as a national exemplar in inclusive financial development.
Reporter: Yang Jianxiong
Photo: Zhang Pengfei
Editor: Huang Qini, James Campion, Shen He
