Major Economic indicators (2007)

Source: Qiqihar Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Qiqihar, seated in the northwest part of Heilongjiang Province, borders Jilin Province to the south and Inner Mongolia to the west. Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang, is located 359 km from Qiqihar. Qiqihar is also known as the "town of red-crowned cranes", because Zhalong Nature Reserve, 30 km from the city center, is the largest artificial breading center for red-crowned cranes in China.

Qiqihar is a railway transportation hub in western Heilongjiang Province. Trains from Qiqihar Railway Station connect the city with Harbin, Mohe and other major cities in Northeast China. Qiqihar Airport, 13 km from Qiqihar's downtown area, operates daily flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and other major cities.

The city covers an area of 43,000 sq km, ranking fourth among the 13 prefectures and prefecture-level cities in Heilongjiang, after Daxing'anling, Heihe and Harbin. It has a population of 5.7 million. It enjoys a temperate continental monsoon climate and has an average temperature of 3.2 Celsius. It is rich in timber, fresh water and minerals such as quartz, limestone, marble and zeolite.

Economic Features

In 2007, Qiqihar's GDP grew 14.6% from the previous year to RMB 56.9 billion, accounting for 8.0% of Heilongjiang Province's total and ranking third after Harbin and Daqing in the province.

Tertiary industry, the largest contributor to the city's economy, realized value-added output of RMB 26.1 billion in 2007, comprising 45.8% of the city's GDP. Value-added output from secondary industry rose 26.9% to RMB 18.6 billion, comprising 32.7% of the city's GDP, while that from primary industry sank 0.1% to RMB 12.3 billion, accounting for 21.5% of the city's GDP.

Animal husbandry is a pillar of Qiqihar's agricultural sector. In 2007, gross output value from animal husbandry soared 13.6% to RMB 10.6 billion, making up 42.5% of the agricultural sector's total. Qiqihar is a major corn production hub in Heilongjiang Province. In 2007, it produced 3.1 million tons of corn, taking up 19.6% of the province's total.

Qiqihar is part of Harbin-Daqing-Qiqihar Industrial Corridor, which will become a comprehensive industrial base with a focus on petrochemicals, energy, autos, electronics, medicine and food by 2020. The corridor is expected to boost Heilongjiang's foreign trade and accelerate the province's economic development. 

In 2007, the value-added industrial output generated by enterprises with designated size and above amounted to RMB 13.8 billion, representing a strong growth rate of 34.7% over a year ago. Equipment manufacturing and food and beverages, the two pillar industries in the city, gained value-added industrial output of RMB 6.1 billion and RMB 4.4 billion, accounting for 44.2% and 31.9% of the city's total, respectively.

Qiqihar is home to Qiqihar Heavy CNC Equipment Co Ltd, Qiqihar No.2 Machine & Tool Works and Beidacang Group. Qiqihar Heavy CNC Equipment Co Ltd, formerly known as Qiqihar First Machine & Tool Works, was first established in 1950. It has an annual equipment manufacturing capacity of 1,500 units. Qiqihar No.2 Machine & Tool Works is a leading equipment manufacturer in China. In 2007, its gross industrial output edged up 45% to RMB 2.3 billion, accounting for 4.9% of Qiqihar's total. Beidacang Group is a large distilled liquor producer in Heilongjiang Province. It was established in 1914 and converted into a private company in 1999. Its sales revenue hit RMB 267.7 million in 2007.

Qiqihar has a booming consumer market. In 2007, the sales of consumer goods in the city exceeded RMB 21.1 billion, rising 17.1% from a year ago. It accounted for 9.1% of Heilongjiang's total sales and ranked third after Harbin and Daqing in Heilongjiang Province.

In 2007, the foreign trade value in Qiqihar soared 86.1% to US$268.8 million, comprising US$220.1 million in export and US$48.7 million in import value. Machines, tools and agricultural products are the major export products from the city.

The utilized FDI in the city stood at US$48.9 million in 2007, increasing by 18.9% from a year earlier. U.K.-based Associated British Foods (ABF) invested RMB 500 million in a sugar production line in Qiqihar in 2007.

Cultural Highlights

Qiqihar, whose name means "natural prairie" in the Daur Language, is a multi-cultural prefecture-level city in Heilongjiang. Many ethnic groups, such as Mongols, Koreans, Manchus and the Daur, are living in this city. Their festivals, traditions and architectures are well-preserved in the city.

The city is one of the oldest cities in Northeast China. It was set up in 1691. It was an important military base during the Anti-Japanese War.

Tourist Attractions

Qiqihar is rich in historical sites, such as Mahayana Temple, Pukui Muslim Temple, Wangjiang Pavilion and Heilongjiang Martial Mansion. Mahayana Temple, also called Dacheng Temple, was first built in 1939. Its complex comprises Tianwang Mansion, Da Xiong Bao Mansion and Cangjing Pavilion. Puikui Mosque was first built in 1684 and is the largest Mosque in Heilongjiang.

Zhalong Nature Reserve is the "must see" scenic spot in Qiqihar. It covers an area of 2,100 sq km and is home to 296 species of birds, including the red-crowned crane.

Guo Bao Rou (sweet-and-sour sliced pork), Toasted Mutton and Stewed Pork with Potato Noodles (or bean noodles) are the most popular local dishes in the city.