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The Zhujiang
(Pearl)
River Delta |
The Zhujiang
(also known as the Pearl) River is the fourth longest river
in China, formed by the confluence of the Dongjiang, Beijing
and Xijiang rivers flowing down from Guangdong and Guangxi
provinces. The Zhujiang River Delta is located at the
entrance of the South China Sea, where it covers 40,000
square kilometres. Thirty-one cities and counties, including
Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Guangzhou, are located in the immediate
region. The area has a population of 20 million.
Lying in the subtropical zone, the delta receives plenty of
rain-fall and its temperature is so mild that it seldom
falls below zero centigrade even in the winter. An extensive
network of rivers allows inland shipping to flourish.
The delta teems with rich, sugarcane, jute, various flowers
and fruit, silkworms, and other special crops used to make
famous brand-name products. Local industries include sugar
refining, silk weaving, iron and steel, ship building and
chemicals. The Zhujiang River Delta has favourable
conditions for developing foreign trade because of its
convenient transportation network, and its proximity to Hong
Kong, Macao and other islands on the South China Sea.
As a major industrial city, Guangzhou, the capital of
Guangdong Province, has been the host of china’s Imports and
Exports Commodity Fair, held twice a year since 1957. At
present, more attention is being given to finance, trade,
energy, transportation, and new technology, turning
Guangzhou into an international metropolis.
Almost 20 years ago, Guangdong was one of the first
provinces to implement China’s opening policy. The Shenzhen
Special Economic Zone was built on the site of a small
fishing village. Now as a window to the outside world, the
Shenzhen and Zhuhai special economic zones have set an
example for the delta on how to develop technology and
export-led industries. The cities of Zhongshan, Dongguan,
Shunde and Nanhai have been nicknamed the “Four Little
Tigers” of Guangdong Province, because of their rapid
economic growth and improved living standards.
Situated on the eastern estuary of the Zhujiang River, the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the
People’s Republic of China is an international trade and
financial center, surpassed only by New York and London.
Hong Kong was handed over to China on July 1, 1997, after it
had been occupied by Britain for 156 years.
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Chinese Cities and Province Information
