On November 6, the Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department (YNSTD) officially approved 12 counties (cities, districts), including Songming County, to construct provincial technology achievement transformation demonstration counties (cities, districts) in Yunnan. Simao District, Pu'er City was on the list.

30 technology achievement transformation demonstration counties of three types (innovation guidance, people's livelihood and well-being, openness and radiation) will be built in Yunnan by 2020. YNSTD will strengthen guidance and support to the proposed demonstration counties by category through five technology plans, and will license the counties passing assessment at the expiration of the construction period.