Northeast China comprises the three provinces of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang, with a total population of over 107 million people. The region is rich in natural resources, including coal, oil, iron ore and timber, and is China’s heavy industrial center for iron and steel, oil, petrochemical, shipbuilding, machine tools, aviation and automobile. Encompassing one of the world’s three black earth belts, the region is also an important agricultural, animal husbandry and forestry base for China. The Northeast is China’s largest producer of corn, soybean and wheat, while production of fruit crops and aquaculture are also rising in significance.
In 2003, the central government launched the “Revitalize Northeast” initiative, offering policy and financial incentives aimed at reforming state-owned industrial enterprises and developing new industries such as information technology, food processing and services in the region. In July 2005, the State Council issued Document No. 36 to accelerate the revitalization process, and in August 2007, the State Council released Document No. 76 which confirmed and emphasized plans to develop the Northeast as an important base for China’s manufacturing equipment, new materials and new energy sources, grain and agricultural/stock production, and technological R&D and innovation. At the same time, the Northeast was also designated as an area for wildlife protection.
Liaoning, the most industrialized province of the region with its capital Shenyang and its port city Dalian, has benefited significantly from the revitalizing initiative. Shenyang, together with six mid-sized surrounding cities, is expanding into the “hinterland” of Liaoning. These six cities, each with a population of 1.6-3.4 million, are the bases for the province’s five major natural resources. Dalian, with the biggest port in northeast China, has been designated by the central government in Document No. 36 to be developed into the transportation hub for Northeast Asia. Dalian also plays the leading role in the construction of Liaoning’s “Five Points, One Line” project, with the goal of accelerating the development of, and providing interconnectivity between, inland Liaoning and the northeast region. The “Five Point, One Line” project is the priority of the province’s 11th five-year plan, and has received approval for a loan of US$3.75-5 billion.
Jilin province is known for its predominant position in China’s automobile industry. The China First Automobile Works located in Jilin’s capital city, Changchun, is China’s largest automobile group with diversified production and assembly lines and R&D centers for car, truck, and auto parts. Another important city for the province is Jilin City, the home of CNPC Jilin Chemical, which is China’s biggest manufacturing base for propylene, MMA and TMP.
Heilongjiang province, with vast farmland and abundant natural resource, is also the cradle for China’s heavy industry. In addition to strengthening its contribution for national manufacturing and agricultural industries, the province has also put a focus on developing their dairy industry. The ongoing World Bank Heilongjiang Dairy Project aims to improve the financial viability for Dairy Herd Improvement development within the province. The international competitive bidding for the project will include purchasing plans for dairy cattle, frozen semen, DHI analytical instruments, TMR feed mixers, and animal waste treatment systems.
Given the direction of this region’s macro development, U.S. companies may find good export opportunities for their services or products in or related to pollution control, clean energy technology, port construction, logistics development, automotive electronic, machine tools and equipment, and downstream food processing systems.
U.S. Commercial Service - Shenyang
52 Shi Si Wei Road, Heping District
Shenyang, Liaoning 110003, China
Tel: (86-24) 2322-1198
Fax: (86-24) 2322-2206
Email: Shenyang.Office.Box@mail.doc.gov
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