Major Economic Indicators (2007)
| Land Area |
17,485 km2
|
|
Population
|
1.3 million
|
|
GDP
|
RMB 23.7 billion (US$3.2 billion), 21.8% up
|
|
GDP Composition
|
|
Primary Industry (Agriculture)
|
13.9%
|
|
Secondary Industry
(Industry & Construction)
|
54.4%
|
|
Tertiary Industry (Service)
|
31.7%
|
|
GDP Per Capita
|
RMB 18,273 (US$2,429)
|
|
Unemployment Rate
|
3.8%
|
|
Fixed Asset Investment
|
RMB 21.2 billion (US$2.8 billion), 62.1% up
|
|
Utilized FDI
|
US$49.8 million
|
|
Total Import & Export
|
US$197 million, 37.0% up
|
|
Export
|
US$152 million, 29.0% up
|
|
Import
|
US$44.6 million, 75.0% up
|
|
Sales of Consumer Goods
|
RMB 7.8 billion (US$1.1 billion), 17.9% up
|
Source: Baishan Economic and Social Development Report 2007
Introduction
Baishan is located in the southeastern part of Jilin Province, at the western side of Changbai Mountain, and borders North Korea to the east. It covers an area of 17,485 sq km. The population of the city amounted to 1.3 million at the end of 2007.
Baishan has a temperate monsoon continental climate with a large temperature difference between day and night in spring, a short, hot summer, a cool autumn, and a long, cold, dry winter. The average temperature is 4.6 Celsius. The average annual precipitation reaches 880 mm, while the average annual sunshine totals 2,259 hours.
Baishan is rich in natural resources. Baishan is one of the major timber-producing areas in China, and forests cover 76% of the city's lands. Proven reserves of coal in Baishan exceed 440 million tons, ranking first in Jilin Province, while reserves of diatomite amount to 196 million tons, ranking first in all of China. In addition, the Songhua River, the Yalu River and the Hui River run through the city, and the famous Baishan Power Station and Yunfeng Power Station are located in the city.
Transportation in Baishan is very convenient. The Siping-Baishan Highway connects with the Shenyang-Dalian Expressway. In addition, the Tonghua-Baihe Railway, and the Yayuan-Dalizi Railway also run through the city.
Economic Features
Baishan realized GDP of RMB 23.7 billion in 2007, representing a rise of 20.8% year on year. The city's GDP accounted for approximately 4.5% of Jilin's total and ranked seventh out of nine prefecture-level cities in the province.
The agricultural sector generated value-added output of RMB 3.3 billion in 2007, accounting for 13.9% of the city's GDP. Output of grain amounted to 210,000 tons, contributing approximately 0.9% to the province's total.
In 2007, value-added output of secondary industry (industry and construction) amounted to RMB 12.9 billion and accounted for 54.4% of the city's total.
The industrial sector realized value-added industrial output of 11.3 billion in 2007, contributing 87.5% to secondary industry's total. Industrial enterprises with designated size or above realized value-added industrial output of RMB 9.1 billion, accounting for 80.3% of the industrial sector's total. Heavy and light industries realized value-added industrial output of RMB 7.6 billion and RMB 1.5 billion, contributing 83.1% and 16.9% to the total generated by enterprises with designated size or above. Agricultural and sideline products processing, auto parts and pharmaceuticals are pillar industries of Baishan.
The construction sector of Baishan realized value-added output of RMB 1.6 billion in 2007, accounting for about 12.5% of secondary industry's total.
In 2007, the service sector generated value-added output of RMB 7.5 billion, contributing 31.7% to the city's GDP.
Transportation, storage and postal business, the largest contributor to the service sector, generated value-added output of RMB 1.5 billion in 2007, accounting for 20.2% of the sector's total, while the second largest contributor, wholesale and retail, realized value-added output of RMB 1.1 billion, contributing 14.5% to the sector's total.
Tourism is also important for Baishan's service sector. During 2007, 1.9 million tourists visited the city, up 14.3% year on year, while tourism income totaled RMB 1.2 billion, rising 30.0% compared to the previous year.
The city's foreign trade amounted to US$197 million in 2007, representing a healthy increase of 37.0% compared to the previous year. Exports rose 29.0% to US$152 million, while import soared 75.0% to US$44.6 million. Major export goods of the city include composite flooring, footwear and garments, while important import goods are fabric, wood, plastic, paint, molybdenum sand and copper ore. The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, North Korea, and Japan are the major export destinations of Baishan.
Baishan attracted contractual foreign investment of US$125 million in 2007, while the utilized FDI in the city reached US$49.8 million.
Cultural Highlights
Baishan was named after Changbai Mountain, whose name means "snowy white mountain." Baishan is one of the important birthplaces of Manchu culture, and also the cradle and pilgrimage city of the Qing Dynasty. In addition, Baishan also boasts a history of brave revolution and anti-aggression. There is a memorial to Yang Jingyu, a famous general who led troops against the Japanese in World War II, in Baishan.
Tourist Attractions
Tourist attractions in Baishan include Yalu River Grand Canyon, Flower Mountain Hot Spring, Baishan Lingguang Tower, Weisha River Tourism Resort, and Changbai Mountain Maze.
Every July, the Changbai Mountain Wild Flower Festival is held in Baishan, while in August, the International Mineral Spring Water Festival is also held here, attracting lots of tourists and investors.
In Baishan, Stewed Pork with Noodles and Fried Sliced Pork with Vegetables are the most popular dishes among local people.
