Major Economic Indicators (2007)
| Land Area |
5,125 km2
|
|
Population
|
1.2 million
|
|
GDP
|
RMB 21.7 billion (US$2.8 billion), 20.6% up
|
|
GDP Composition
|
|
Primary Industry (Agriculture)
|
14.8%
|
|
Secondary Industry
(Industry & Construction)
|
51.2%
|
|
Tertiary Industry (Service)
|
34.0%
|
|
GDP Per Capita
|
RMB 17,546 (US$2,333)
|
|
Unemployment Rate
|
3.6%
|
|
Fixed Asset Investment
|
RMB 20.2 billion (US$2.7 billion), 48.3% up
|
|
Utilized FDI
|
US$20.5 million
|
|
Total Import & Export
|
US$42.6 million, 32.9% up
|
|
Export
|
US$28.9 million, 112.6% up
|
|
Import
|
US$13.7 million
|
|
Sales of Consumer Goods
|
RMB 6.0 billion (US$798 million), 18.1% up
|
Source: Liaoyuan Economic and Social Development Report 2007
Introduction
Liaoyuan is located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, in the transition area between Songnen Plain and Changbai Mountain. The smallest among the prefecture-level cities in Jilin, it covers an area of 5,125 sq km. The population of the city amounted to 1.2 million at the end of 2007.
Liaoyuan has a temperate semi-humid monsoon climate. The average temperature is 4.5 Celsius. The average annual precipitation reaches 750 mm, while the average annual sunshine totals 2,580 hours.
Liaoyuan is rich in timber and mineral resources. Forests cover 42% of the city's lands. Mineral resources such as coal, limestone, marble, silica, and wollastonite are abundant. In addition, Liaoyuan is also replete with water resources. There are 56 rivers and streams, including Songhua River and Liao River, running through the city.
Transportation in Liaoyuan is very convenient. The Siping-Meihekou Railway and the Changchun-Yingchengzi Expressway run through the city. Changchun Airport is within one and a half-hour's drive from Liaoyuan.
Economic Features
Liaoyuan realized GDP of RMB 21.7 billion in 2007, representing a rise of 20.6% year on year. The city's GDP accounted for approximately 4.1% of Jilin's total and ranked last out of nine prefecture-level cities in the province.
The agricultural sector generated value-added output of RMB 3.2 billion in 2007, accounting for 14.8% of the city's GDP. Output of grain amounted to 1.3 million tons, contributing approximately 5.4% to the province's total.
In 2007, value-added output of secondary industry (industry and construction) amounted to RMB 11.1 billion and accounted for 51.2% of the city's total.
The industrial sector realized value-added industrial output of 9.1 billion in 2007, contributing 81.7% to secondary industry's total.
Coal mining, agricultural and sideline products processing, non-ferrous metal smelting and rolling, textiles and non-metallic mineral products manufacturing are the pillar industries of Liaoyuan. As a whole, they realized gross industrial output of RMB 11.0 billion in 2007, contributing 47.8% to the total generated by industrial enterprises with designated size or above.
Liaoyuan Deheng Company<600699>, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and is mainly engaged in textile raw materials, reported a net loss of RMB 73.7 million in 2007. In 2008, the company reported net loss of RMB 137 million.
Construction sector of Liaoyuan realized value-added output of RMB 2.0 billion in 2007, accounting for about 18.3% of secondary industry's total.
In 2007, the service sector generated value-added industrial output of RMB 7.4 billion, contributing 34.0% to the city's GDP.
Wholesale and retail activities, the largest contributor to the service sector, generated value-added industrial output of RMB 1.6 billion in 2007, accounting for 22.2% to the sector's total, while real estate, the second largest contributor, realized value-added output of RMB 927 million, contributing 12.6% to the sector's total.
The city's foreign trade amounted to US$42.6 million in 2007, representing a healthy increase of 32.9% compared to the previous year. Exports soared 112.6% to US$28.9 million.
Liaoyuan attracted contractual foreign investment of US$6.6 million in 2007, while the utilized FDI in the city reached US$20.5 million.
Cultural Highlights
Liaoyuan, with long history of raising deer, is widely appraised as the Hometown of Spotted Deer in China. As early as the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi designated Liaoyuan as a Royal Deer Park.
Additionally, Liaoyuan is also the Town of the Lute, the Town of Peasant Painting, and Town of Errenzhuan Comedy (a form of song and dance duet).
Tourist Attractions
Tourist attractions in Liaoyuan include Shou Mountain, Gui (tortoise) Mountain, Longshou (head of Dragon) Mountain Park, Nanzhao Mountain Park, Yangmu Lake Resort, Bayi Lake Resort, Dongfeng Royal Deer Park, and Dongfeng Tortoise Island Tourism Resort.
Since Liaoyuan has a long history of raising deer, Guandong deer meat is one of the popular dishes among local people. Additionally, charcoal hotpot is also unique and delicious.
