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Profiles of China Provinces, Cities and Industrial Parks



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Content provided by :  China Knowledge
   
12 Sept 2011
Xiangtan ( Hunan ) City Information

Major Economic Indicators (2010)

Land Area (km2) 5,015
Population (million) 2.95
GDP (RMB billion) 89.4
GDP Composition
Primary Industry 10.7%
Secondary Industry
(Industry & Contruction)		 55.9%
Tertiary Industry (Service) 33.4%
GDP Per Capita (RMB) 30,305
Unemployment Rate 4.5%
Fixed Asset Investment (RMB billion) 63.33
Utilized FDI (USD million) 403
Total Import & Export (USD million) 2,160
Export (USD million) 777
Import (USD million) 1,380
Sales of Consumer Goods (RMB billion) 25.67
Source Source: Xiangtan Economic and Social Development Report 2010

 

 
Introduction
 
Xiangtan, a prefecture-level city in central Hunan Province, lies in the middle reaches of the Xiang River. It is 40 km from Changsha and Zhuzhou. The city is part of Chang-Zhu-Tan City Cluster (Chang, Zhu and Tan stand for Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan), which is a national comprehensive supporting reform area in constructing a resource-conserving and environment-friendly society.

The cluster is in the area of the juncture of the Beijing-Guangzhou Economic Belt, the Pan-Pearl River Delta Economic Zone and the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

The city cluster is also the political, economic and cultural golden triangle of Hunan Province.  

Xiangtan has an advantageous transportation system. The Changsha-Xiangtan Highway connects the city with Changsha, Zhuzhou and other cities in Hunan. State Highway 107 (which runs from Beijing to Shenzhen) and State Highway 320 (which runs from Shanghai to Kunming) run through the city. Changsha Huanghua Airport, 60km from Xiangtan's downtown area, offers regular flights to 50 cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

The smallest city among 14 prefecture and prefecture-level cities in Hunan, Xiangtan covers an area of 5,015 sq km. It enjoys a subtropical humid monsoon climate. The average temperature in the city is about 17°C.
 
Economic Features
 
In 2010, GDP of Xiangtan grew 15.2% from the previous year to RMB 89.4 billion, ranking seventh out of 14 in the province.

Primary industry gained RMB 9.6 billion in value-added output in 2010, comprising 4.3% of Xiangtan's GDP. Value-added output from secondary industry rose 20.6% from a year earlier to RMB 49.94 billion, contributing 55.9% to the city's economy, while that from tertiary industry soared 11.5% to RMB 29.86 billion, making up 33.4% of the city's GDP.

In 2010, value-added industrial output generated by enterprises with designated or above increased by 23.4% to RMB 45.13 billion. The city has a diversified industrial structure. New energy, auto and auto parts, machinery, electronics, metallurgy, crude steel and steel products, electronic appliances, equipment manufacturing, chemicals, textiles and agricultural products processing are the pillar industries in the city.

Among them, equipment manufacturing, crude steel and steel products, auto and auto parts, electronics are the four largest industries. In 2010, the combined value-added industrial output amounted to RMB 28 billion, accounting for 62% of the industrial sector.

Xiangtan has eight development zones, including one state-level development zone, namely Xiangtan National High-tech Industrial Development Zone (Xiangtan HIDZ), two provincial- level parks and one city-level park.. In 2009, the value-added industrial output of the eight development zones amounted to RMB 12.6 billion, composing 37.8% of the city's total. Xiangtan HIDZ was approved to be a state-level development zone in 2009 and is home to 59 high-tech enterprises.

There are three listed companies in Xiangtan, namely Xiangtan Electrochemical Scientific, Hunan Valin and Xiangtan Electric Manufacturing. Xiangtan Electrochemical Scientific was established with registered capital of RMB 75.4 million in 2007. It is a top electric manganese dioxide (EMD) producer in China. In the first half of 2010, the operating revenue amounted to RMB 286.4 million, while its net profit stood at RMB 8.8 million.

The city has a large consumer market. In 2010, sales of consumer goods in the city gained 19.2% to RMB 25.67 billion, ranking ninth out of 14 in the province.

The foreign trade value in Xiangtan totaled US$2.16 billion in 2010, ranking second out of 14 in Hunan Province, after Changsha. The export value hit US$777 million, increased 47.6% from the previous year, while the import value exceeded US$1.38 billion, up 53.1% year on year.

Xiangtan's utilized FDI was US$403 million in 2010, increasing 15.1% from a year ago. The manufacturing sector attracted most of the foreign investment. Samsung from South Korea and EMC from Taiwan have launched investments in the city. 
 
Cultural Highlights
 

Xiangtan has over 1,200 years of history. Xiangtan County was founded in the region during the Tang Dynasty (AD618-907). In 1950, Xiangtan City was set up in Xiangtan County. It is the birthplace of many celebrities, including Mao Zedong, the preeminent leader and first chairman of China.

Xiang Opera is quite popular in Xiangtan. Xiang Opera, also called Changsha Xiang Opera, was formed during the Ming Dynasty (AD1368-1644). It has 12 types of roles, such as Sheng (male role), Dan (female role) and Chou (clown).
 
Tourist Attraction
 

Shaoshan Scenic Area is the top tourism destination in Xiangtan. It is located in Shaoshan, a beautiful mountain village 40 km from Xiangtan's downtown area. The scenic area contains the former residence of Mao Zedong and a water-dripping cave. Travelers should also visit Yuhu Park, the former residence of Qiu Jin (a great female revolutionist) as well as Biquan Pool.

The city offers travelers various delicious local snacks, such as Deng Xin Cake (made of glutinous rice), Hong Shao Rou (red-cooked meat) and Steamed Bean-curd with Plum and Roe.
 
Honors
 

Best Tourism City in China (2007)
-National Tourism Administration of P.R. China

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