Changchun
Changchun
长春 | |
|---|---|
| 长春市 | |
| File:Changchun Montage.png | |
| Nickname: 春城 (Spring City) | |
 Location of Changchun Prefecture within Jilin | |
| Country | China |
| Province | Jilin |
| County-level divisions | 10 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Zhu Yejing (祝業精) |
| Area | |
| • Sub-provincial city | 20,532 km2 (7,927 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 3,616 km2 (1,396 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 222 m (730 ft) |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Sub-provincial city | 7,459,000 |
| • Density | 360/km2 (940/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 3,581,000 |
| • Urban density | 990/km2 (2,600/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (China Standard Time) |
| Postal code | 130000 |
| Area code | 0431 |
| License plate prefixes | 吉A |
| GDP (2007) | CNY 208.9 billion |
| - per capita | CNY 28,131 (2007) |
| Website | www.changchun.gov.cn |
Changchun (simplified Chinese: 长春; traditional Chinese: 長春; pinyin: Chángchūn; Wade–Giles: Ch'ang-ch'un; lit. 'Long Spring') is the capital and largest city of Jilin province, located in the northeast of the People's Republic of China, in the center of the Songliao Plain. It is a sub-provincial city. The name originated from the Jurchen language. As of 2007, Changchun has a population of 7.46 million, including counties and county-level cities. The urban districts have a total population of 3.58 million.[1]
Administrative divisions
The sub-provincial city of Changchun has direct jurisdiction over 6 districts (区 qu), 3 county-level cities (市 shi) and 1 County (县 xian):
|
Subdivision | |
|---|---|---|
| Changchun City Proper | ||
| ■ Nanguan-qu | 南关区 | |
| ■ Kuancheng-qu | 宽城区 | |
| ■ Chaoyang-qu | 朝阳区 | |
| ■ Erdao-qu | 二道区 | |
| ■ Luyuan-qu | 绿园区 | |
| Changchun Suburban and Rural | ||
| ■ Shuangyang-qu | 双阳区 | |
| ■ Jiutai-shi | 九台市 | |
| ■ Yushu-shi | 榆树市 | |
| ■ Denghui-shi | 德惠市 | |
| ■ Nong'an-xian | 农安县 | |
History
Changchun started as a minor trading town. In 1800, Emperor Jiaqing of the Qing Dynasty selected a small village on the east bank of the Yitong River and named it "Changchun Ting." In 1889, it was promoted as "Changchun Fu".
It expanded rapidly as the junction between of the Japanese-owned South Manchurian Railway and the Russian-owned Chinese Eastern Railway which had different rail gauges, as well as permit licences, from 1905-1935. Changchun had railway repair shops and branch lines originating in Changchun extended into Korea and Inner Mongolia In 1932 moving from Jilin City (Kirin city) 200 km to the east, Changchun became the capital of Manchukuo, a state in Manchuria. Then known as Hsinking 新京 (Pinyin: Xīnjīng, Wade-Giles: Hsin-ching, Japanese: Shinkyō, English trans.: New Capital), the capital was a well-planned city with broad avenues and modern public works. The city underwent rapid expansion in both its economy and infrastructures.
From 1931 to 1945 China's last emperor Pu Yi was installed as the Manchukuo government head by the Japanese authority. He resided in the Imperial Palace (帝宮) which is now the Museum of the Manchu State Imperial Palace (偽滿皇宫博物院).
During the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) and World War II the Imperial Japanese Army implemented in Changchun the headquarters of Unit 100 ("Wakamatsu Unit"), under command of veterinarian Yujiro Wakamatsu. This facility dedicated itself to both the study of animal vaccines to protect Japanese resources, and, especially, veterinary biological-warfare. Diseases were tested for use against the Soviet and Chinese horses and other livestock. In addition to these tests, Unit 100 ran a bacteria factory to produce the pathogens needed by other units. Biological sabotage testing was also handled at this facility: everything from poisons to chemical crop destruction.
Renamed Changchun by the People's Republic of China government, it became the capital of Jilin in 1954. The Changchun Film Studio is also one of the remaining film factories of the era. From the 1950s, it was designated to become a center for China's automotive industry. The famous Red Flag limousines were made in Changchun as were the Liberation (Jiefang) trucks based on a Ford model used in Russia who supplied much of the early manufacturing machinery.
Changchun hosted the 2007 Winter Asian Games.
Siege of Changchun
Severely damaged during World War II, the city was liberated by the Soviet Red Army in 1945. The Russians maintained a presence in the city after the Chinese civil war until 1946. Kuomintang forces occupied the city in 1946, but were unable to hold the countryside against Chinese Communist forces. The city fell to the communists in 1948 after a 12-month-long siege by the People's Liberation Army that resulted in a massive famine with a civilian death toll of 100,000 to 300,000.[2]
Economy
Changchun achieved a GDP of RMB208.9 billion in 2007, having increased two-fold over 5 years. Primary industry output increased by 8.6 percent to RMB20 billion. Secondary industry output experienced an increase of 22.1 percent, reaching RMB104.9 billion, while the tertiary industry output increased 14.5 percent to RMB84 billion.[3]
The city’s leading industries are foodstuffs, photo-electronic information, biology and medicine, and automotive. Changchun is the largest automobile manufacturing base in China. As cradle of the auto industry, and home to FAW, China’s biggest vehicle producer, one of Changchun’s better known nicknames is "China's Cincinnati".[4]
In 2007, imports accounted for US$5.43 billion, increase of 31.3 percent; exports of US$1.51 billion rose by 38.8 percent. By the end of 2007, per capita GDP equaled RMB28,131, an increase of 16.1 percent.[5]
Changchun has great potential, but like many northern cities it still is trying to resolve major difficulties. It is increasingly faced with competition from nearby cities, seeing its dominance of the northeast as a regional industrial powerhouse diminish as other nearby cities continue to narrow the gap.[5]
FDI in the city remains small - only US$1.69 billion was used in 2007 - but is steadily increasing, showing a 20 percent rise from the previous year. However, investors still need to be convinced. Big players of the likes of Coca-Cola, may help with this. The company set up a bottling plant in the city’s ETDZ in 2004 with an investment of US$20 million.[5]
Changchun is situated at Northeast Asia's geometric center. South Liaodong peninsula coastline, north to Russia and Eastern Europe, east to North Korea, South Korea, Russia, and west to Mongolia. Changchun is an important transportation and communication hub of Northeast China.
Changchun's main industry is the manufacturing of transportation facilities and machinery. It produces 20%, 50%, and 10% of all automobiles, passenger trains, and tractors made in China.
Changchun is the biggest automobile research and development center in China. The first Chinese truck and car was made in Changchun. FAW (First Automotive Works) Group is headquartered in Changchun. The automaker's factories and associated housing and services occupies a substantial portion of the city's southwest end. Specific brands produced in Changchun includes the Red Flag luxury brand, as well as joint ventures with Audi, Volkswagen, and Toyota.
The GDP per capita was ¥28,131 (ca. US$4,050) in 2007, ranked no. 52 among 659 Chinese cities.
Changchun hosts the yearly Changchun International Automobile Fair, Changchun Film Festival, Changchun Agricultural Fair, Education Exhibition and the Sculpture Exhibition.
Development zones
Changchun High Technology Development Zone The zone is one of the first 27 state-level advanced technology development zones and is situated in the southern part of the city, covering a total area of 49 square kilometers. Within the zone, one can find 18 full-time universities and colleges, 39 state and provincial-level scientific research institutions, and 11 key national laboratories.[3] The zone is presently focusing on developing its five main industries, namely bio-engineering, automobile engineering, new material fabrication, photo-electricity, and information technology.[3]
- Changchun Economic and Technological Development Zone
Established in April 1993, the zone enjoys all the preferential policies stipulated for economic and technological development zones of coastal open cities.[5] It is located five kilometers from downtown Changchun, two kilometers from the freight railway station and 15 kilometers from the Changchun international airport. The zone is devoted to developing five leading industries, namely automotive parts and components, photoelectric information, bio-pharmaceutical, fine processing of foods, and new building materials. In particular, high-tech and high value added projects account for over 80 percent of total output. In 2006 the zone's total fixed assets investment rose to RMB38.4 billion. Among the total of 1656 enterprises registered are 179 that are foreign-funded. The zone also witnessed a total industrial output of RMB 277 billion in 2007.[5]
- Changchun Automotive Economic Trade and Development Zone
Founded in 1993, the Changchun Automotive Trade Center was re-established as the Changchun Automotive Economic Trade and Development Zone in 1996. The development zone is situated in the southwest of the city and is adjacent to the China First Automobile Works Group Corporation and the Changchun Film ThemeCity. It covers a total area of approximately 300,000 square meters. Within the development zone lies an exhibition center and five specially demarcated industrial centers. The famous Changchun Automobile Wholesale Center began operations in 1994 and is the largest auto-vehicle and spare parts wholesale center in China. The other centers include a resale center for used auto-vehicles, a specialized center for industrial/commercial vehicles, and a tire wholesale center.[5]
Infrastructure
Changchun is developing its city layout in a long-term bid to alleviate pressure on limited land, aid economic development and absorb a rising population. According to a draft plan up until 2020, the downtown area will expand southwards to form a new city center around Changchun World Sculpture Park, Satellite Square and their outskirts, and the new development zone.[5]
Road
Changchun is linked to the national highway network through the Changchun–Harbin Expressway, the Changchun–Jilin-Huichun Expressway and the busiest section in the province, the Changchun-Jilin North Highway. This section connects the two biggest cities in Jilin and is the trunk line for the social and economic communication of the two cities.[5]
Railways
Changchun is served by a comprehensive bus system, as well as one traditional tram route (route 54). Most buses and the tram charge 1 Yuan (元) per ride. Changchun also has as a modern light rail line that began revenue service in 2002 and is undergoing extension. Private automobiles are becoming very common on the city's congested streets. Bicycles are relatively rare compared to other northeastern Chinese cities, but mopeds, as well as pedal and even animal-drawn carts are relatively common.
Changchun has three passenger rail stations, though most trains only stop at the central Changchun Railway Station (长春站), where there are multiple daily departures to other northeast cities such as Jilin City, Harbin, Shenyang, and Dalian, as well as Beijing.
Air
Changchun Longjia International Airport opened in 2005 and serves as the main civilian airport for both Changchun and Longjia. It takes about 45 minutes to reach downtown from the airport. Domestic flights are available to 20 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Currently international and regional flights are available to Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo, but the airport hopes to create more domestic and international flights, setting its sights on flights to the Americas. By 2013, a new airport is expected to be capable of handling 3.2 million passengers annually.[4]
City infrastructure
Changchun is a very compact city, planned by the Japanese with a layout of open avenues and public squares. Despite once having the most complex tram system in Northern China, there is now only one remaining route open. However, Changchun is notable for having China’s first urban light rail system, opened in 2002, which was developed from the existing tramway system. There is currently one line encompassing 14.6 kilometers of track with plans to expand the system to an eventual 179 kilometers of track.[5]
Universities and colleges
- Jilin University (吉林大学)
- Northeast Normal University (东北师范大学)
- Changchun University of Technology (长春工业大学)
- Changchun University of Science and Technology (长春理工大学)
- Changchun Normal University (长春师范大学)
- Jilin Huaqiao Institute (吉林华桥外语学院, a private college offering bachelor study programs in foreign languages, international trade management and didactics)
- Changchun Industrial University
Sport
- China Sharks (ice hockey)
- Changchun Wuhuan Gymnasium hosted the 2007 Asian Winter Games]
Film
Sister cities
Québec City, Québec, Canada- Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Wolfsburg, Germany
Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Masterton, New Zealand
Chelyabinsk, Russia- Novosibirsk, Russia
- Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Ulan Ude, Russia
Novi Sad, Serbia
Žilina, Slovakia
Ulsan, South Korea (since 1994)
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Flint, Michigan, United States- Stonington, Connecticut, United States
See also
Notes and references
- ^ Encyclopaedia Britannica Online
- ^ "China Is Wordless on Traumas of Communists' Rise". New York Times. 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
- ^ a b c "Dezan Shira & Associates". Dezan Shira & Associates. 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ a b "China Expat city Guide Jilin". China Expat. 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "China Briefing Business Reports" (PDF). Asia Briefing. 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
Resources
External links
