City Introduction of Xinjiang, China: Aksu Prefecture

Major Economic Indicators (2007)

Source: Aksu Prefecture Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Aksu Prefecture is located in the western part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, at the southern foot of Tianshan Mountain on the northern rim of Tarim Basin and bordering Kirghizstan to the west. It covers an area of 18,369 sq km. Its population is 2.2 million by the end of 2007. There are 30 ethnic groups living in Aksu including the Han, the Uygur, the Hui, and Russians. The Han ethnic group accounts for approximately 56% of Aksu's total population.

Aksu has a temperate arid climate with plenty of sunshine. The average temperature of the city is 7.9℃ -11.3℃. Average annual precipitation totals 42.4-94.4 mm.

Aksu is rich in natural resources. Forests cover 40.3% of the city’s lands. Mineral resources such as phosphate, limestone, dolomite, basalt, gypsum, quartz sand, ceramic materials, mercury barite, bauxite and coal are abundant.

Transportation in Aksu mainly relies on highways and air travel. State Highway 314 (which runs from Urumqi to Khunjerab) passes through the city. Aksu Airport, 12.5 km from the city's downtown, operates daily flights to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Economic Features

Aksu realized GDP of RMB 23.2 billion in 2007, representing a rise of 14.0% year on year. The city's GDP accounted for approximately 6.6% of Xinjiang's total and ranked sixth out of all the prefectures and prefecture-level cities in Xinjiang.

The agricultural sector generated value-added output of RMB 8.5 billion in 2007, accounting for 36.7% of the prefecture's GDP. Output of grain and fruit amount to 882,500 tons and 891,400 tons in 2007, contributing 10.2% and 11.9% to Xinjiang's total, respectively. In addition, Aksu is known as a town of cotton. Output of cotton reached 402,500 tons in 2007, accounting for 13.9% of Xinjiang's total.

Secondary industry (industry and construction), the smallest contributor to the prefecture's economy, realized value-added output of RMB 6.2 billion, accounting for 26.7% of Aksu's total.

The industrial sector and construction sectors realized value-added industrial output of RMB 4.1 billion and RMB 2.1 billion in 2007, contributing 66.7% and 33.3% to secondary industry's total, respectively.

Coal mining, agricultural products processing, non-metal products manufacture, electricity and thermal power, petrochemicals and chemicals are the pillar industries of Aksu. The petrochemical industry, the largest contributor to Aksu's industrial sector, generated value-added industrial output of RMB 914 million in 2007, contributing 22.3% to the industrial sector's total.

The service sector generated value-added output of RMB 8.5 billion, accounting for 36.6% of the prefecture's total GDP in 2007.  

In 2007, wholesale and retail trades generated value-added output of RMB 1.3 billion, accounting for 15.9% of the sector's total, while transportation, storage and postal services realized value-added output of RMB 773 million, contributing 9.1% to the service sector.

During 2007, approximately 2.6 million tourists visited the prefecture, up 20.1% year on year, while tourism income totaled RMB 175 million, increasing by 15.9% compared to the previous year.

In 2007, the total import and export value of Aksu amounted to US$21.7 million, representing a rise of 4.9% year on year. Export value rose 38.6% to US$15.7 million, while import value sank 35.8% to US$6.0 million. Major export goods include fruits and vegetables. Indonesia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Pakistan are major export destinations.

Cultural Highlights

Aksu is the birthplace of Guizi culture and Duolang culture, both of which comprise Uygur folk songs and dances. Guizi Culture spread to the central plains of China in Northern Wei Dynasty (AD386-534). Guizi Music was palace music in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Duolang culture, a blend of aboriginal culture, Uygur culture and Mongol culture, has the reputation of living history of ancient folk songs and dances.

Tourist Attractions

Aksu is an important tourism prefecture in southern Xinjiang and is known as a land of fish and rice in Western China. Tourist attractions in Aksu include Kizir Thousand-Buddha Cave, and the Tarim River.

Aksu is the headstream of Tarim River, which is the longest inland river in China. Due to its unstable water conditions, Tarim River is widely compared to an uncontrollable horse.

Because of the unique geographic location and natural environment, Aksu is an important grain and fruit production base. Apples, grapes, walnuts, and pears from this area are very delicious and well sold.

Honor

National Forest City (2008)

---State Forestry Administration, P. R. China