Major Economic Indicators (2007)
| Land Area |
4,741 km2
|
|
Population
|
1.9 million
|
|
GDP
|
RMB 47.0 billion (US$6.2 billion), 16.3% up
|
|
GDP Composition
|
|
Primary Industry (Agriculture)
|
6.6%
|
|
Secondary Industry
(Industry & Construction)
|
63.6%
|
|
Tertiary Industry (Service)
|
29.8%
|
|
GDP Per Capita
|
RMB 25,662 (US$3,412)
|
|
Unemployment Rate
|
4.5%
|
|
Fixed Asset Investment
|
RMB 18.1 billion (US$2.4 billion), 27.4% up
|
|
Utilized FDI
|
US$61.8 million, 62.6% up
|
|
Total Import & Export
|
N.A.
|
|
Export
|
US$660 million, 67.0% up
|
|
Import
|
N.A.
|
|
Sales of Consumer Goods
|
RMB 12.2 billion,(US$1.6 billion), 17.5% up
|
Source: Liaoyang Economic and Social Development Report 2007
Introduction
Liaoyang is located in the middle part of Liaoning Province, and encompasses parts of the Liaodong hills in eastern Liaoning and parts of the Liaohe Plain. It covers an area of 4,741 sq km. The population of the city amounted to 1.9 million by the end of 2007.
Liaoyang has a varied topography that includes mountains, hills, mesas, and plains. Accordingly, there are different types of climates, including a temperate humid monsoon climate in eastern Liaoyang and a warm and semi-humid continental monsoon climate in western Liaoyang.
Liaoyang is rich in mineral resources. Reserves of silica and muscovite rank first in Liaoning, and account for 60.8% and 69.4% of the province's total, respectively. Mineral resources such as iron, gypsum, cement limestone, and limestone flux are also abundant.
Since Liaoyang is situated in the middle part of the urban area of Liaodong peninsula, transportation in Liaoyang is very convenient. The Changchun-Dalian Railway and the Shenyang-Dalian Railway run through the city from south to north, while the Liaoyang-Benxi Railway crosses the city from east to west. Liaoyang is only 60 km from Shenyang's Taoxian International Airport. The airport, with a designed annual passenger throughput capacity of 6.1 million, has 51 domestic routes and 32 international routes.
Economic Features
Liaoyang realized GDP of RMB 47.0 billion in 2007, representing a rise of 16.5% year on year. The city's GDP accounted for approximately 4.3% of Liaoning's total and ranked ninth out of fourteen prefecture-level cities in the province.
The agricultural sector, which is the smallest contributor to the city's economy, generated value-added industrial output of RMB 3.1 billion in 2007, accounting for only 6.6% of the city's GDP.
In 2007, the value-added output of secondary industry (industry and construction) amounted to RMB 29.9 billion and accounted for 63.6% of the city's total.
The industrial sector realized value-added industrial output of RMB 27.5 billion, up 20.0% year on year, while value-added industrial output of industrial enterprises with designated size or above increased by 25.6% to RMB 21.0 billion, contributing 76.4% to the industrial sector's total.
Chemicals, steel, non-ferrous metal processing, equipment manufacturing, agriculture and sideline products processing, mining and building materials are the pillar industries of Liaoyang. In these industries, enterprises with designated size or above realized value-added industrial output of RMB 20.1 billion, contributing 95.7% to the total generated by the industrial enterprises with designated size or above.
Liaoyang is an important chemical fiber industrial base in China. One representative enterprise is China Petroleum Liaoyang Petroleum Chemical Fibre Company, which is a subsidiary of PetroChina<601857> and is mainly engaged in production of nitric acid, chemical fabrics, and polyester. It has annual production capacity of 500,000 tons of chemical fiber products.
In 2007, the service sector generated value-added industrial output of RMB 14.0 billion, contributing 29.8% of the city's GDP.
Tourism is important for the city's service sector. During 2007, tourism income totaled RMB 6.6 billion, rising 61.4% compared to the previous year.
The export value of Liaoyang totaled US$660 million in 2007, representing a healthy increase of 67.0% compared to the previous year. There were 145 enterprises producing approximately 200 kinds of export goods for sale to about 100 countries and areas.
Cultural Highlights
Liaoyang has 2,400 years of history. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, and intellectuals including Li Bai, Du Fu, and Bai Juyi wrote a total of over one hundred poems glorifying the city.
Liaoyang is also the ancestral home of Cao Xueqin, the author of the most famous masterpiece in China, Stone Story.
Tourist Attractions
Liaoyang is rich in historical landmarks such as Liaoyang White Tower, which is a National-Level Cultural Landmark, Yanzhou Town, an ancient military stronghold built by Koreans, and Wenmiao Temple.Liaoyang's scenery spots include Taizi River Scenery Area, White Tower Park, and Wazigou Eco-tourism Zone.
Perfumed Dried-pear, with a history of approximately 400-500 years, Tower Candy, which is made of granulated sugar and flavoring, and Laoyangtou Roasted Chicken are all delicious and popular snacks among local people.
Honors
China Excellent Tourist City (2004)
---National Tourism Administration of P. R. China
