Major Economic indicators (2007)

Source: Ningde Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Ningde is situated along the northeastern coast of Fujian Province. It adjoins Fuzhou in the south, Zhejiang Province in the north, Nanping in the west and faces Taiwan Province in the east. The city has a coastline of 878 km, about one third of Fujian's total.

Ningde has convenient transportation. The Shenhai Highway runs through the city, shortening the drive time from Ningde to Fuzhou and Wenzhou to about 1 hour. The Fuwen Railway connecting Fuzhou in Fujian Province and Wenzhou in Zhejiang Province, scheduled to begin operation in 2009, will cut the travel time to Shanghai from 6 hours to 4 hours. Ningde is easily accessible by air, as Fuzhou Airport and Wenzhou Airport are within 1.5 hours' drive. The Sanshawan Port, also know as Sandu'ao Port, is one of six natural deepwater ports in Fujian. 

The city is rich in aquatic resources. It has over 600 species of marine plants and animals. With a subtropical monsoon climate, Ningde has four distinct seasons and enjoys temperate and humid weather.

Economic Features

The GDP of Ningde grew 16.7% from the previous year to RMB 47.1 billion in 2007, ranking ninth in Fujian Province. Primary, secondary and tertiary industry contributed 21.7%, 38.1% and 40.2% to the city's GDP, respectively.

The gross industrial output from heavy industry soared 41.8% to RMB 29.3 billion, accounting for 77.6% of the city's total, while that from light industry amounted to RMB 8.5 billion, with a rise of 26.0% year on year, making up 22.4% of the city's total gross industrial output value.

Ningde's main industries are electronic machinery and appliances manufacturing, electricity production and supply, food processing, shipbuilding and ship repair, construction materials, auto parts and motor parts, and pharmaceuticals and chemicals manufacturing. The gross industrial output from these industries amounted to RMB 24.9 billion, comprising nearly two thirds of the city's total gross industrial output. 

Datang Ningde Power Plant is a thermal plant co-invested by Datang International Power Generation Co Ltd, Huafu Energy Resources Co Ltd and two local companies from Fujian in 2004. Total investments in this plant are expected to reach RMB 15.6 billion. The initial stage of the plant, with installed capacity of 2.4 million kilowatts, was completed in 2006. Fujian Yixin Steel and Iron, a leading steel and iron maker in Fujian Province, was set up in 2006 with investment of RMB 1.8 billion. It produced 1.9 million tons of iron and steel products in 2007.

The service sector remained the largest contributor to the city's economy in 2007. The value-added output from service sector gained 15.3% year on year to RMB 18.9 billion in 2007, accounting for about 40.2% of the city's GDP. The value-added output of the logistics industry grew 14.2% year on year to RMB 2.6 billion, comprising one sixth of the service sector's total.

In 2007, Ningde's foreign trade value climbed 41.2% year on year to US$618 million, consisting of US$576 million in exports and US$42 million in imports. The export value of mechanical and electronic products grew 58.8% year on year to US$424.4 million, comprising 73.6% of Ningde's total. Major export destinations are Africa (US$105.3 million), the ASEAN (US$82.9 million) and the E.U. (US$70 million).

Contractual foreign investments totaled US$28.5 million in 2007, down 79.3%, year on year, while the utilized FDI in the city increased by 10.6% to US$138.6 million. About 40.1% of the utilized FDI was injected into manufacturing industries.

Cultural Highlights

Ningde's history extends back 10,000 to 20,000 years to the Old Stone Age, when ancient human beings started living in the area. The administrative history of Ningde began in AD 282 during the Jin Dynasty. During the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1206-1368), Funing Shire was established in the area. In 1736, Ningde Shire was replaced by Ningdefu Administration. During the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), it was combined into the territory of present Fuzhou. In 1971, Ningde was promoted to a prefecture-level city.

Tourist Attractions

Ningde has rich tourism resources. Huayan Temple, also known as Huazang Temple, was built during the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279) on the Zhiti Mountain, about 40 km northwest of Ningde's city center. Other major scenic spots in the city include Tailao Mountain in Fuding, the Liyu Stream and the Jiulongji Waterfalls in Zhouning and Yuanyang Stream in Napping. Yuanyang Stream is the sole mandarin duck nature reserve in China. It encompasses Baishui Stream, Yuanyang Stream, Shuizhu Stream and Yuanyang Lake Tourist Resort. The most recommended local dishes of the city are Sliced Fish Soup, Beef Ball, Yu Dou Su (a kind of crispy snack), Tai Ji Mashed Dasheen and Xiao Er Cake.