Northeast China's Jilin province officially recognized 197 provincial-level small and medium-sized enterprises as being professional, sophisticated distinctive and modern – as well as 35 national level "little giant" companies in 2021 – according to local media reports.

The companies cover pillar industries in the automobiles, petrochemical, food, equipment, electronics information and medicine sectors. So-called little giant enterprises are businesses in the early stages of development in advanced industries like high-end equipment manufacturing, new energy and new materials.

They are usually referred to as being "professional, sophisticated, distinctive and modern" and generally have strong business performances, advanced science and technology, a mature management system, strong market competitiveness and great development potential.

One of the recognized companies is Changchun-based Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. The first commercial remote sensing satellite company in the country, it was the only business from Northeast China to have been selected in the 2020 China Unicorn Enterprises List. Unicorns are startup companies valued at $1 billion or more.

The Jilin-1 satellite is the company's core product and in the six years since its establishment, it has successfully launched 31 of them into orbit.

Another company – based in Siping city – is Jilin SSK Machinery & Electron Co. It is an enterprise specializing in research and development, manufacturing and sales of complete sets of poultry slaughtering and processing equipment and provides solutions for food processing and equipment maintenance.

In recognition of its technical strengths and innovation, the company was rated as a national-level little giant by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in December 2020.

It also became a provincial-level small and medium-sized enterprise in August last year, for being professional, sophisticated, distinctive and modern.