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Profiles of China Provinces, Cities and Industrial Parks



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Content provided by :  China Knowledge
   
5 Sept 2011
Shantou ( Guangdong ) City Information

Major Economic Indicators (2010)

Land Area (km2) 2,064.4
Population (million) 5.1
GDP (RMB billion) 120.32
GDP Composition
Primary Industry 5.3%
Secondary Industry
(Industry & Contruction)		 56.4%
Tertiary Industry (Service) 38.3%
GDP Per Capita (RMB) 23,274
Unemployment Rate 3.2%
Fixed Asset Investment (RMB billion) 36.16
Utilized FDI (USD million) 255.53
Total Import & Export (USD million) 7,360
Export (USD million) 4,930
Import (USD million) 2,430
Sales of Consumer Goods (RMB billion) 83.04
Source Source: Shantou Economic and Social Development Report 2010

 
Introduction
 

Shantou is lying in the coastal eastern part of Guangdong. It is one of China's five special economic zones (Shenzhen, Xiamen, Zhuhai, Shantou and Hainan Province), all of which enjoy special economic policies and flexible government measures. Among the first fifteen coastal cities opened up to foreigners, Shantou is also home to a large number of Chinese people who are currently living abroad.

Shantou borders Chaozhou to the north and Jieyang to the west. It is only one-hundred and eighty-seven nautical miles away from Hong Kong and one-hundred and eighty nautical miles from Kaohsiung in Taiwan. Shantou Port, an important port in Guangdong Province, handled 23 million tons of cargo and 0.6 million TEUs in 2007. Guangzhou-Meizhou-Shantou Railway links the city with other major cities in China, while Shenzhen-Shantou Highway and Shantou-Fenshui Highway connect Shantou with Shenzhen and Xiamen, both of which are also special economic zones. Shantou Waisha Airport offers forty-six domestic and international routes weekly.

The city enjoys a pleasant subtropical marine climate, with mild winters, and hot and wet summers.
 
Economic Features
 
As a special economic zone, Shantou's economy does not blossom as much as the economy in Shenzhen, which is another special economic zone in Guangdong Province. In 2010, the GDP of Shantou grew 13.7% from the previous year to RMB 120.32 billion, ranking eleventh in Guangdong Province.

In 2010, the value-added industrial output in Shantou rose 16.8% year on year to RMB 62.9 billion, contributing 52% to the city's GDP. The gross industrial output was RMB 264.2 billion, up 16.9% year on year.

Shantou has formed plastic products, textiles, electric power and heat power, machinery and chemicals as its major industries. Large companies in Shantou include Nanyang Cable, Longguang Group and Yihua Group. Nanyang Cable is the largest cable-producer in southern China, with their annual output exceeding RMB 3 billion.

The added value from the service sector soared 11.5% year-on-year to RMB 46.1 billion in 2010, contributing 38.3% to Shantou's GDP. The sales of consumer goods in the city was RMB83.04 billion, up 25.8% year on year.

The foreign-trade value in Shantou up 22.2% year on year to US$7.36 billion, comprising import value of US$2.43 billion and export value of US$4.93 billion. Major export products are electronic and mechanical products, textiles, plastic products and toys.

Shantou attracted 35 foreign-invested projects in 2010, with utilized FDI rising 25.2% year on year to US$255.53 million.
 
Cultural Highlights
 

Shantou was a small fishing village during the Song Dynasty (AD960-1279). The original name of the city of Shantou was Shashan Ping, being labeled thus as early as 1574. Later, during the seventeenth century, Sha Shan Tou Paotai (“cannon platform”) was built up there, and was then shortened to "Shantou". Shantou is also part of Lingnan Culture, a culture prevailing in south-east China. 
 
Tourist Attraction
 

A long history, long coastal lines and a pleasant climate make Shantou one of the top tourist destinations in China. The most representative tourist attractions in Shantou include Que Shi Island, Nan'ao Island, Lotus Peak and the Symbolic Tower of the Tropic of Cancer. Nan'ao Island consists of Qing Ao Gulf, Huanghua Mountain and Marine Migratory Birds Preservation Zone. The most popular cuisines in Shantou are that of the Cantonese Cuisines. Famous dishes in the city include Hong Wen Haishen, Suancai Baishan, Doujiang Ju Ji (steamed chicken in fermented bean sauce) and Jingua Yuni (pumpkin with mashed taros).
 
Major Development Zones
 

There is one state-level development zone in Shantou.

Name
Area (km²)
Pillar Industries
GDP in 2010
(RMB billion)
Shantou Free Trade Zone
2.34
 Warehousing, logistics
N.A.

Source:National Development and Reform Commission of P.R. China
 
Honors
 

National Environmental Protection Model City (2007)
- National Environmental Protection Bureau of P.R. China

National Hygienic City (2002)
--Ministry of Health of P. R. China

Best Tourism City (2001)
-- National Tourism Administration of P.R. China

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