Major Economic Indicators (2007)
| Land Area |
4,200 km²
|
|
Population
|
2.8 million
|
|
GDP
|
RMB 51.4 billion (US$6.8 billion), up16.5%
|
|
GDP Composition
|
|
Primary Industry (Agriculture)
|
13.0%
|
|
Secondary Industry
(Industry & Construction)
|
56.1%
|
|
Tertiary Industry(Service)
|
30.9%
|
|
GDP Per Capita
|
RMB 18,188 (US$2,418)
|
|
Unemployment Rate
|
2.2%
|
|
Fixed Asset Investment
|
RMB 24.1 billion, 45.9% up
|
|
Utilized FDI
|
US$514.0 million, 27.4% up
|
|
Total Import & Export
|
US$2.2 billion, 26.1% up
|
|
Export
|
US$1.6 billion, 21.5% up
|
|
Import
|
US$0.6 billion, 39.9% up
|
|
Sales of Consumer Goods
|
RMB 17.3 billion, 18.5% up
|
Source: Putian Economic and Social Development Report 2007
Introduction
Putian is a prefecture- level city of Fujian Province. It is located in the southeast of Fujian, in the middle of the province's coastline, facing Taiwan across the strait.
Putian has maritime sub-tropical monsoon climate, with plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. The average annual temperature range is 16-21 Celsius while annual rainfall varies between 1,000-2,300 mm.
Putian has three bay ports on its coast. Among them, Meizhou Bay is the largest one in terms of the amount of freight that passes through its docks. The annual freight throughput of Putian Port is projected to reach 50 million by 2010.
Economic Features
In 2007, the industrial output of Putian reached RMB 72.8 billion, up 21.4% over 2006. Private enterprises dominate the economy in Putian. In 2007, the industrial output of private companies was RMB 58.9 billion, accounting for 80.9% of the city's total. Putian also has an industrial structure focusing on light industries. In 2007, the industrial output of light industries accounted for 63.0% of the city's total.
According to the city's 11th five-year plan, the pillar industries are shoe-making, textile and garment, food processing, electronics, forest products processing, pharmaceuticals and medical devices manufacturing.
Tourism is a major industry in Putian's service sector. In 2007, the number of domestic tourists to Putian grew by 7.2% to 4.7 million, while the revenue in tourism reached RMB 4.0 billion, up 22.4%. However, the number of foreign visitors dropped by 15.3% to 6,800 in the same year.
In 2007, Putian's foreign trade grew by 26.1% to US$2.2 billion. Taiwan and the U.S. are the two largest trade partners for imports and exports. The utilized FDI reached US$514 million, of which 87.5% was from the manufacturing sector.
Cultural Highlights
Putian was set up as a county in 568 AD. It is known as “Lichee City” because of the delectable fruit that attracted the nation's empress during the Tang Dynasty. In order to preserve the fresh taste of the lichee, the country's fastest horses were used to deliver the fruit over thousands of kilometers to the capital by relay.
There is a tradition of Matsu worship in Putian. Matsu, originally known as Lin Muoniang, was a woman born in Putian during the 16th century. She was considered a goddess by the local people. This folk religion is also practiced by the people of Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
Tourist Attraction
Meizhou Island, the legendary birthplace of the goddess Matsu, is located 3.3 km offshore from Putian. It has a land area of 14.4 km2, and the length of the beach is 20 km. A national holiday resort has been set up on this island.
The city of Putian is also attractive because it has a layout like Venice. Local people "walk down the streets" in small rowboats that just barely fit beneath the ancient granite arched bridges that cross the canals.
Major Development Zones
By the end of 2007, Putian had one state-level development zone.
State-level Development Zones in Putian
| Name |
Area (km2)
|
Pillar Industries
|
GDP in 2007
(RMB billion)
|
|
Meizhou Island National Holiday Resort
|
13.5
|
Island tourism
|
N.A.
|
Source: National Development and Reform Commission
