Nantong
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nantong | |
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| — Prefecture-level city — | |
| Chinese transcription(s) | |
| - Chinese | 南通市 |
| - Pinyin | Nántōng Shì |
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  Nantong
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| Coordinates: 32°0′N 120°50′E / 32°N 120.833°E | |
| Country | China |
| Province | Jiangsu |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Ding Dawei (丁大卫) |
| Area | |
| - Prefecture-level city | 8,001 km2 (3,089.2 sq mi) |
| Population (2008) | |
| - Prefecture-level city | 7,737,900 |
| - Urban | 611,736 |
| [1] | |
| Time zone | China Standard (UTC+8) |
| Postal code | 226000 (Urban centre) 226100-226600 (Other areas) |
| Area code(s) | 513 |
| GDP | ¥251 billion (2008) |
| GDP per capita | ¥35,040 (2008) |
| Major Nationalities | Han |
| County-level divisions | 8 |
| Township-level divisions | 146 |
| License Plate Prefix | 苏F |
| Website | http://www.nantong.gov.cn/ |
Nantong (Chinese: 南通; pinyin: Nántōng; former names: Nan-t'ung, Nantung, Tongzhou, or Tungchow; Qihai dialect: [nie] [tʰoŋ]) is a prefecture-level city in Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China. Located on the northern bank of the Yangtze River near the river mouth, Nantong is a vital river port bordering Yancheng to the north, Taizhou to the west, Suzhou to the south across the river, and the East China Sea to the east.
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[edit] Administration
The prefecture-level city of Nantong administers 8 county-level divisions, including 3 districts and 3 county-level cities and 2 counties.
- Chongchuan District (崇川区)
- Gangzha District (港闸区)
- Tongzhou District (通州区)
- Rugao City (如皋市)
- Haimen City (海门市)
- Qidong City (启东市)
- Hai'an County (海安县)
- Rudong County (如东县)
These are further divided into 146 township-level divisions.
[edit] History
Because the coast of the East China Sea is constantly moving eastward as the Yangtze River adds silt to its delta, the distance between Nantong and the seashore is getting farther than the one in ancient times. From the time of the Han dynasty through to the Tang dynasty, what is now called Nantong was a minor county subordinate to Yangzhou. By 958 AD a city of sufficient importance had developed for a new, independent prefecture called Tongzhou ("Opening Prefecture", possibly from its position near the mouth of the Yangtse) to be created. The increasing wealth of Yangzhou caused Tongzhou to be once again eclipsed as an administrative centre in 1368. When Tongzhou finally regained prefecture status in 1724, it was renamed Nantong ("Southern Tong") to avoid confusion with another Tongzhou, located near Beijing.
The prosperity of Nantong has traditionally depended on salt production on the nearby seacoast, rice and cotton agriculture, and especially the production of cotton textiles. A local statesman and industrialist named Zhang Jian (Chang Chien) founded Nantong's first modern cotton mills in 1899, then developed an industrial complex that included flour, oil, and silk reeling mills, a distillery, and a machine shop. He also founded a shipping line and reclaimed saline agricultural land to the east of Nantong for cotton production. By 1911, Nantong was commonly called "Zhang Jian's Kingdom".
Although suffering from the economic depression of the 1930s and the Japanese occupation of the 1930s and 40s, Nantong has remained an important centre for the textile industry. Because of its deep-water harbour and connections to inland navigational canals, it was one of 14 port cities opened to foreign investment in the recent economic reforms.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Education
The "King of Nantong", Zhang Jian, founded the first teacher-training schools in China at Nantong. These eventually merged with his agricultural, industrial, and medical schools to become Nantong University. Zhang also founded museums, libraries, and theatres, making Nantong into an important cultural centre.
[edit] Local dialect
Nantong natives speak a Northern Wu Chinese dialect; some natives in southern parts speak similarly to that of nearby Shanghai.
Nantong city and its 6 counties (or county-level cities) are rich in its diversity of languages. People in the city of Nantong speak a unique dialect which sounds nothing like Mandarin or any other dialects, and it is also distinctively different from any surrounding dialects. About 2 million people in southern parts of Tongzhou, Haimen and Qidong speak the Wu dialect, which is often referred to as "Qi-hai Hua" (启海话), meaning Qidong-Haimen speech. It is about the same as the dialect spoken on the island of Chongming, which is a part of Shanghai city. People in northern parts of these counties speak "Tongdong Hua" (tōngdōnghuà 通东话), meaning Eastern Tong Talk. People in Rugao, Hai'an speak other dialects.
Some people believe criminals who were living in Mongolia or Tibet moved to Nantong when the land was first formed hundreds years ago. Hence it is said that a small group in Mongolia or Tibet speak the same dialect as people in the city of Nantong do.
[edit] Tourism
The Haohe River, known as the Emerald Necklace of Nantong, surrounds the old city with a total length of 15 km. Most scenery lines this river.[2]
Popular tourist sites include Langshan ("Wolf hill"). This hill of about 110 metres elevation right next to the Yangtze River is worth a visit. On top of the hill is a Buddhist temple dedicated to a Song dynasty monk. Because of the monk's legendary powers over water demons, sailors pray to him for protection on their voyages.
The Cao Gong Zhu Memorial Temple commemorates a local hero who defended the city against Japanese pirates in 1557.
Shuihuiyuang Garden, meaning Water Garden, is a unique Hui-styled garden in all China classic gardens.
[edit] Economy
Nantong was traditionally an agricultural land and an old site for salt-making in history. Its principal agricultural products include cotton, rice, wheat, fishing, fruit, and more. Currently, the city is making more efforts to upgrade its farming sectors and increase production of organic foods.
Nantong is one of the 14 port cities opened to foreign investment projects under China's current policies of modernization. Nantong was a traditional industrial city of China back in early time of its history from salt to cotton textile productions. From Mr Zhang Jian’s first cotton mill to today’s industrial corporations, Nantong has been a new industrial hub in the north of Jiangsu since it opened its door to the outside world two decates earlier. With its excellent geographic location and the completion of two Yangtze River bridges, the prefecture jurisdiction is attracting more investment funding nationwide. Many of these investments come also from many international corporations. In October 2007, Singapore RGM International has signed an agreement with Rudong, a county under Nantong's jurisdiction, to invest a port project, costing 9 billion Yuan or $1.33 billion USD at Rudong Yangkou Port.
Today, Nantong is one of the fast-growing coastal cities in China. With the openings of Sutong (Suzhou-Nantong) Yangtze Bridge in April 2008 and Chonghai (Shanghai's Chongming-Nantong's Haimen) Crossing Yangtze Bridge in 2009, the city has been listed as the number one city in the Yangtze Delta Economic Zone for foreign investment, surpassing even its all rivals including Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing.
Economic growth and environmental conservation have always seemed like two different approaches. As a sprawling metropolis, Nantong has experienced environment damage from its industrialization. The municipal government has been putting more stiff environmental policies into practice over years and has spent tremendous funds to curb the pollution and to plane more trees along its roads. The city is shutting down more factories that do not meet the environment laws.
Nantong has developed rapidly in the last 25 years, as have most of the cities in the Yangtze River Delta. Usually, Nantong's rapid economic growth is attributed to its advantageous location just north of Shanghai. Nantong's Sutong bridge is expected to further Nantong's integration with Shanghai, cutting transportation time between the cities down to one hour from three hours.[3]
The shipping corporation Cosco has a large port and ship repair yards on the river. Cosco (Nantong) Shipyard Co., Ltd, the first shipyard of the Cosco group, is adjacent to the busy port of Nantong. The yard has 1120 m of coastline and is equipped with one Cape-size and one Panamax size floating dock. Cosco (Nantong) Shipyard handles approximately 150 vessels per year and has kept first position among Chinese shipyards in turnover and customer feedback.[4]
Nantong has five KFC stores and one McDonald's.
Some companies in Nantong:[5]
- Empire Clothing Co. Ltd. - Manufacturer of garments for men, women and children. Products gallery.
- Nantong No.2 Yarn-dyed Weaving Mill - Cloth and garment manufacturer.
- Nantong Taierte Clothing Co. Ltd. - Textile production and processing.
- Nantong Freezing Equipment Factory - Refrigeration and quick freezing equipment for the food industry.
- Nantong Printing and Dyeing Co. Ltd. - Textile processor. Product specifications.
- Nantong Suzhong Textile Co. Ltd. - Yarn and thread manufacturer. Product specifications.
- Nantong General Pharmaceutical Factory - Manufacturer of pharmaceutical materials such as tablets, capsules and injections. Product specifications.
- Nantong Xiaoxing Transformer Co., Ltd. -Various range of electric transformers
- Nantong Fujitsu Microelectronics Co Ltd [6]
[edit] Education
Nantong is the city that hosts a comprehensive university, Nantong University (made by former Nantong Medical College, former Nantong Normal College and former Nantong Engineer College). The higher education institution includes 21 schools and has a number of total 22,000 students registered in 2007.
Nantong has contributed to China's education development with several firsts: establishment of the first school for teacher training; the first folk museum; the first school of the textile industry; the first school of embroidery; the first drama school; and the first school for the deaf and blind.
The city has well instituted compulsory primary education system. The secondary schools including high schools achieves significant graduate rate. Its adult vocational education system has brought diverse programs to its labor forces.
- primary schools (incomplete list):
- No 2. Affiliated Primary School of Nantong Normal school.
- Secondary schools (incomplete list):
- Universities and colleges:
[edit] Social Welfare Institute
Established in 1906, Nantong Social Welfare Institute was originally created by Zhang Jian as a house for orphans, the aged, and the disabled.
Located on the banks of the Haohe, the institute has an area of 13.2 mu (8,800 m²), with beautiful scenery and relaxing surroundings. At present, the staff has 79 staff members who care for 170 orphans, widows and handicapped children, plus 70 retirees. The current director's name is Jia Gui Lin.
Address: Nantong Social Welfare Institute No. 5 Yang Lao Yuan Lane Nantong, Jiangsu Province China 226006
[edit] International relations
[edit] Twin towns — Sister cities
Nantong is twinned with:
[edit] References
Qin Shao, Culturing Modernity: The Nantong Model, 1890-1930 (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2004).
- ^ The urban population is for the year 2000: City Population, China: Provinces and Major Cities.
- ^ "A paradise on the water". China Daily. January 8, 2007. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/citylife/2007-01/08/content_776787.htm. Retrieved 08-04-18.
- ^ Jiao, Xiaoyang (June 19, 2007). "New milestone for record-breaking bridge". China Daily. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2007-06/19/content_6176053.htm. Retrieved 08-04-18.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Nantong at the Open Directory Project
- ^ Liu, Baijia (April 9, 2007). "High stakes chips". China Daily. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bw/2007-04/09/content_845764.htm. Retrieved 08-04-18.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nantong |
- Government website of Nantong (available in Chinese, Japanese and English)
- Nantong comprehensive guide with open directory (Jiangsu.NET)
- The Columbia Encyclopedia: Nantong - Brief facts about the city
- Nantong Science and Technology Commission - Brief description of the city and a list of cooperative projects available
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