City Introduction of Jiangxi, China: Fuzhou

Major Economic indicators (2007)

Source: Fuzhou Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Fuzhou is seated in the eastern part of Jiangxi Province, on the upper and middle reaches of the Fuhe River. It borders Fujian Province to the east, Ganzhou to the south, Ji’an and Yichun to the west, and Yingtan to the north. It covers an area of 18,817 sq km, nearly occupying 11.3% of Jiangxi Province’s total area. The city enjoys a warm, humid subtropical monsoon climate, with cod springs and winters, hot summers and dry autumns.

Fuzhou has a well-established transportation system. The city is 90 km from Nanchang, the provincial capital of Jiangxi. The Yingtan-Xiamen Railway and Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway as well as State Highway 320, State Highway 316 and State Highway 206 run through the city, connecting the city with most domestic cities throughout China.

The city has the fame of “barn of Jiangxi Province”, as the city plants diverse fruits, such as watermelons and oranges. Fuzhou also has abundant mineral resources, such as gold, silver and copper. The silver, copper, lead, zinc and tungsten reserves in the city reach 167 tons, 199,050 tons, 70,585 tons and 12,470 tons, respectively.

Economic Features

Fuzhou is the seventh largest economy among the 11 prefecture-level cities in Jiangxi Province in terms of GDP in 2007. The city’s GDP grew 14.0% from a year earlier to RMB 36.8 billion in 2007, comprising 6.7% of Jiangxi Province’s total.

The agricultural sector generated value-added output of RMB 8 billion in 2007, contributing 21.8% to Fuzhou’s economy. The crop output in the city rose 4.7% to 2.6 million tons, making up 13.7% of Jiangxi’s total.

Secondary industry, the largest contributor to the city’s economy, realized RMB 11.6 billion in value-added output in 2007, making up 46.7% of the city’s GDP. The total value-added industrial output in Fuzhou hit RMB 13.7 billion in 2007, representing a strong growth of 28.2%. However, the industrial sector in Fuzhou is still weak compared with other cities in Jiangxi Province. It comprised only 6% of Jiangxi’s total value-added industrial output.

In 2007, the value-added industrial output from enterprises with designated size and above soared 30.5% to RMB 8.5 billion, accounting for 62.0% of the city’s total value-added industrial output. Heavy industry and light industry gained value-added industrial output of RMB 4.9 billion and RMB 3.6 billion in 2007, comprising 57.6% and 42.4% of that from the city. Electricity production and supply, paper making, textiles, food and beverages, ceramics and chemicals are the major industries in the city. By the end of 2008, there were still no listed companies in the city.

The service sector also contributed significantly to the city’s GDP in 2007. The value-added output from the service sector gained 11.5% to RMB 11.6 billion in 2007, comprising 31.5% of Fuzhou’s GDP. The sales of consumer goods surpassed RMB 13.5 billion, featuring a rise of 17.1% from the previous year.

In 2007, the foreign trade value totaled US$256.8 million, comprising export value of US$255.7 million and import value of 1.1 million. Export of garments was US$157.4 million, accounting for 61.3% of the city’s total export value, while export of textile hit US$10.3 million, about 4% of the city’s total.

Fuzhou attracted contractual foreign investments of US$260 million in 2007. Utilized FDI was US$147 million in the same period. Investments from large foreign companies are absent in the city.

Cultural Highlights

Fuzhou has a splendid history. During the Spring-and-Autumn Period, the Baiyue Tribes lived in this region. During the Warring States Period, the territory belonged to Jiujiang Shire. In AD257 during the Three Kingdom Period, Linchuan Shire was set up in the region and its capital was established in Linru County. Fuzhou got its current name in AD589 during the Sui Dynasty.

Fuzhou is the origin place of “Linchuan Culture”, which was born during the Qin Dynasty and the Han Dynasty and flourished during the Song Dynasties. It is still prevailing in Fuzhou and surrounding regions. Fuzhou is also the birthplace of many great literary figures, such as Wang Anshi, a great poet and politician in Song Dynasty.

Tourist Attractions

Fuzhou has many temples, such as Baima Temple (White Horse Temple), Baofang Temple and Linchuan Jinshan Temple. The Baima Temple, located in Huangtong of Fuzhou, was first built during Northern Song Dynasty. The Baofang Temple complex, built in AD1761, comprises Tianwang Mansion, Daxiong Mansion and Guanyin Mansion. Travelers should also visit the beautiful natural scenic spots in the city, such as Jufeng Mountain, Magu Mountain and Fozhu Spring.

Congren Ma Ji (a kind of braised chicken) and Nanfeng Preserved Vegetables are the most famous local dishes.