Major Economic Indicators (2007)

Source: Tonghua Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Tonghua is located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, bordering North Korea to the south. It covers an area of 15,195 sq km. The population of the city amounted to 2.3 million at the end of 2007.  

Tonghua has a temperate continental monsoon climate. The average temperature is 0.5 Celsius. The average annual precipitation reaches 920 mm, while the average annual sunshine totals 2,155 hours.

Tonghua is rich in natural resources. It is one of the major timber-producing areas in China and forests cover 62.9% of the city's lands. There are approximately 1,000 rivers and streams running through the city's lands. Water resources total to 4.9 billion cubic meters. Additionally, Tonghua is replete with traditional Chinese herbal medicinal plants, and its ginseng output contributes almost one third of the country's total.

Transportation in Tonghua is very convenient. The Shenyang-Jilin Railway, the Meihekou-Ji'an Railway, the Tonghua-Dalizi Railway, State Highway 303, State Highway 201, and State Highway 202 run through the city and extend to most major cities throughout China.

Economic Features

Tonghua realized GDP of RMB 35.4 billion in 2007, representing a rise of 20.1% year on year. The city's GDP accounted for approximately 6.8% of Jilin's total and ranked fifth out of nine prefectures and prefecture-level cities in the province.

The agricultural sector generated value-added output of RMB 5.0 billion in 2007, accounting for 14.1% of the city's GDP. Output of grain amounted to 1.7 million tons, contributing approximately 7.1% to the province's total.

In 2007, value-added output of secondary industry (industry and construction) amounted to RMB 17.6 billion and accounted for 49.7% of the city's total.

The industrial sector realized value-added industrial output of 15.3 billion in 2007, contributing 86.9% to secondary industry's total.

Pharmaceuticals, metallurgy and food processing, the three pillar industries of Tonghua, realized value-added industrial output of RMB 6.14 billion, RMB 3.27 billion and RMB 1.35 billion in 2007, respectively. As a whole, they contributed 70.3% to the industrial sector's total.

Tonghua Dongbao Pharmaceutical<600867>, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, is principally engaged in the manufacture and distribution of patented Chinese and western medicines, biological products, and non-polyvinyl chloride (PVC) soft bag transfusion products, realized net profit of RMB 77.4 million in 2007. The net profit of the pharmaceutical producer totaled RMB 46.8 million in 2008, down 39.5% year on year.

Tonghua Golden-Horse Pharmaceutical Industry Co<000766>, which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, is also principally engaged in the manufacture and sale of pharmaceuticals. In 2008 it realized net profit of RMB 17.2 million, down 8.8% year on year.

Tonghua's construction sector realized value-added output of RMB 2.3 billion in 2007, accounting for about 13.1% of secondary industry's total.

In 2007, the service sector generated value-added output of RMB 12.8 billion, contributing 36.2% to the city's GDP.

Wholesale and retail activities, the largest contributor to the service sector, generated value-added output of RMB 2.3 billion in 2007, accounting for 18.0% to the sector's total, while transportation, storage and postal business, the second largest contributor, realized value-added output of RMB 2.2 million, contributing 17.8% to the sector's total.

The city's foreign trade amounted to US$480 million in 2007, representing a healthy increase of 35.6% compared to the previous year. Exports rose 28.7% to US$232 million, while imports soared 42.8% to US$248 million. Tonghua's major export goods, steel, pine nuts, and pharmaceuticals, generated export value of US$99.2 million, US$48.0 million, and US$18.7 million, contributing 42.7%, 20.6% and 8.1% to the total, respectively. As a whole, they accounted for 71.4% of the city's total.

Tonghua attracted contractual foreign investment of US$103 million in 2007, while the utilized FDI in the city reached US$33.4 million.

Cultural Highlights

Tonghua has a profound history. As early as 6,000 years ago, there were people living and multiplying here. It is the birthplace of ancient Koguryo Kingdom and the Manchu aristocrats. It was the capital of the Koguryo Kingdom for 425 years. There are a lot of important Koguryo artifacts and cultural sites in Tonghua.

Currently, 24 ethnic groups, including the Han, the Man, Koreas, and the Hui, live together in Tonghua. Tonghua Manchu Paper Cutting is one of three most famous folk paper cutting traditions in China. In addition, due to the abundant herbal medicines and pharmaceutical enterprises, Tonghua was appraised as a National Medical City by the China Quality Association for Pharmaceuticals in 2008.

Tourist Attractions

Tourist attractions in Tonghua include Donggou Ancient Tombs, Wandu Mountain Town, Jingyu Cemetery, Five Fairies National Forest Park, Qianye Lake, Yuhuang Mountain Park, Yalv River Border Tourist Area, and Longwan Nature Reserve.

Donggou Ancient Tombs and Wandu Mountain Town are National Key Cultural Heritage Landmarks.

In Tonghua, Suzi Ye (Perilla Fruit Leaf), Steamed Buns, and Saqima are popular dishes among the local Manchu people.