The Jiangsu Province

The Economy

 
Jiangsu is one of China’s leading areas with the size and population of many countries.  It is adjacent to Shanghai and has a population of approximately seventy-six million.  It is at the heart of China’s famously booming Yangtse River Delta area, contributing 45% of the area’s total GDP. Overall, Jiangsu accounts for 11.3% of China’s national GDP and its economy is growing at an annual rate of 14.9% (5.4% higher than the country's average). In gross GDP terms, Jiangsu’s economy is larger than the economies of countries such as Greece, Denmark, South Africa, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, and Ireland.  Jiangsu's total import and export value climbs to US$170.8 billion, which represents 15.5% of the country's total.
 
By 2006 Jiangsu had attracted around eight hundred British businesses, representing 20% of the total UK investment made into China so far.  Jiangsu is also an important trade partner for the UK and in 2006 16%, or $4.7 billion, of the UK’s trade with China was conducted with Jiangsu Province.

There are 13 municipalities under the jurisdiction of the provincial government namely. Under their jurisdiction there are 64 counties and county-level cities. Jiangsu is famous for its shoal exploitation and grain corps growing in the North. While in the South, many cities are just like bright stars well known for their great achievements in the industries of machinery, electronics, chemicals, automotive, textile and tourism. 

There are many ports opening to the outside world, including the ports in Lianyungang, Nantong, Zhangjiagang, Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Jiangyin, Yangzhou, Taichang, Changsu and Gaogang, with the total import and export volume of 120 million tons. As to the road construction, Jiangsu framed a dense net of highways. It takes 3 hours from Nanjing, the capital city of Jiangsu province to Shanghai municipality, the biggest city in our country by Nanjing-Shanghai expressway. Now, several expressways and road bridges crossing the Yangtze River are being constructed. There are eight airports in Jiangsu: Nanjing Airport, Changzhou Airport, Wuxi Airport, Suzhou Airport, Nantong Airport, Yancheng Airport, Lianyungang Airport and Xuzhou Airport. With over one hundred universities, Jiangsu is a leading centre of education and is China’s most technologically advanced area. Jiangsu boasts 2.74million scientists, engineers and technicians and 2,010 research institutes.

 
 
Cultural and heritage highlights

Cultural Cities and Lakes Jiangsu Province is known as the 'land of rice and fish' and boasts the largest number of historical and cultural cities in any region of China.  In addition to the capital city Nanjing, these include the ancient cities of Suzhou, Yangzhou and Xuzhou.
 
Traditional Crafts Jiangsu’s traditional crafts are highly valued and varied. Many are world famous and include the  collectable purple Yixing pottery, Nantong Kites, Yangzhou Puppets, Jade carving, paper cutting, Suzhou silk and embroidery.
 
Wuxi Buddha and Nanjing Purple Mountain Over 3 million people in Jiangsu practice Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism in over 4000 religious sites.  At Wuxi is the colossus 88 metre high Grand Buddha - one of the largest in China.
 
Suzhou and Gardens The ancient city of Suzhou is known as ‘the Venice of the Orient’ and famous for its many canals and gardens. The Lingering Garden is one China’s four most famous gardens with UNESCO World Heritage status.
 
Confucius Temple and Food Market The Confucius Temple in Nanjing was built in the Song dynasty and is now a hugely popular cultural centre.  Jiangsu's food crops include rice, soy bean, sesame, ginko and peaches.  Its production of silks, livestock and fisheries play an important role in China.
 
Kun Opera and Entertainment Kun Opera as the oldest form of opera in China, is dubbed ‘Mother of 100 operas’ and originated in Jiangsu in the 13th century.  Other popular pastimes include tea drinking, tai chi, qi gong or general exercises sessions, Karaoke, eating and ballroom dancing.