City Introduction of Shandong, China: Weihai

Weihai

Major Economic Indicators (2007)

Source: Weihai Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Located at the eastern tip of the Shandong Peninsula, Weihai faces the Korean Peninsular and various Japanese chain islands across the sea. It is a prefecture-level city of Shandong Province, covering a total area of 5698 km², with an urban area of 769 km².

Surrounded by sea on three sides, Weihai is connected by two highways to Yantai, which is 60 km westwards from the city, and Qingdao, which is 200 km southwest. There is also a railway line which runs to Weihai, connecting it with Shandong Province’s major cities, such as Qingdao, Weifang, Zibo and Jinan.

Weihai has a temperate monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 11.9℃ and an annual rainfall of 730 mm.

Economic Features

In 2007, the value-added industrial output of enterprises above designated size in Weihai reached RMB 97.7 billion. Its pillar industries are the light and textile industry, machinery, electronics and petrochemicals. The value-added industrial output of the four industries reached RMB 88.1 billion, accounting for 90.2% of the city's total within the same year.

The light and textile industry is Weihai's largest pillar industry. In 2007, the value-added industrial output in this sector totaled RMB 38.1 billion, accounting for 39.0% of the city's total. Presently, there are 134 garment companies and 108 textile companies in Weihai. Within the same year, their sales reached RMB 144.5 billion,  RMB 29.4 billion of which was generated by exports.

The machinery industry is Weihai's second largest pillar industry. In 2007, value-added industrial output in this sector amounted to RMB 27.6 billion, accounting for 28.2% of the city's total. Currently, there are 472 enterprises above designated size. In 2007, their sales reached RMB 98.2 billion, RMB 12.9 billion of which was generated by exports.

Weihai is a major city for tourism in Shandong. In 2007, revenue from the tourism sector reached RMB 13.1 billion, up 28.4% year on year. Over 13 million tourists have been to Weihai, of which, 267,300 were foreigners.

In 2007, the foreign trade value of Weihai grew by 16.0% to US$11.1 billion, of which, exports accounted for US$7.0 billion. The main products exported were electromechanical products, which contributed to 45.6% of the total export value. 30.8% of all exports go to South Korea, making it a major export destination.