Heilongjiang

{{out of date|date=November 2011}} {{update|date=November 2011}} For the river known in Mandarin as Heilong Jiang, see [[Amur River]] {{History of the Priamurye region}} {{Audio|zh-Heilongjiang.ogg|Heilongjiang}} ({{zh|s=黑龙江省 |t=黑龍江省 |p=Hēilóngjiāng Shěng}}; [[Chinese Postal Map Romanization|Postal map spelling]]: Heilungkiang) is a [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China|province]] of the [[People's Republic of China]] located in the [[Northeast China|northeastern]] part of the country. "Heilongjiang" literally means [[Black]] [[Chinese dragon|Dragon]] [[River]], which is the Chinese name for the [[Amur river|Amur]]. The one-character abbreviation is 黑 ([[pinyin]]: Hēi). The [[Manchu language|Manchu]] name of the region is Sahaliyan ula {{MongolUnicode|ᠰᠠᡥᠠᠯᡳᠶᠠᠨ ᡠᠯᠠ}} (literally, "Black River"), from which the name of [[Sakhalin]] is derived, and the [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]] name accordingly is Qaramörin. Heilongjiang borders [[Jilin]] in the south and [[Inner Mongolia]] to the west; it also borders [[Russia]] to the north and east. The [[Amur River]] marks the border between the [[People's Republic of China]] and [[Russia]] to the north. Heilongjiang contains China's northernmost point (in [[Mohe County]] along the Amur) and easternmost point (at the junction of the [[Amur River|Amur]] and [[Ussuri River|Ussuri]] Rivers).

History

In ancient times Heilongjiang was far from any literate civilization, and information was sparse. Ancient Chinese records and other sources state that Heilongjiang was inhabited by people such as the [[Buyeo kingdom|Buyeo]], the [[Mohe people|Mohe]], and the [[Khitan people|Khitan]]. Some names are Manchu or Mongolian. The eastern portion of Heilongjiang was ruled by the kingdom of [[Balhae]] between the 7th century and 10th century. The Jurchen [[Jin Dynasty (1115–1234)]] that subsequently ruled much of north China arose within the borders of modern Heilongjiang. [[File:CEM-44-La-Chine-la-Tartarie-Chinoise-et-le-Thibet-1734-Amur-2572.jpg|thumb|left|Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces on a 1734 French map]] Heilongjiang as an administrative entity was created in 1683, during the [[Kangxi Emperor|Kangxi]] era of the [[Manchu]] [[Qing Dynasty]], from the northwestern part of the [[Jilin]] province. This Heilongjiang Province only included the western part of today's Heilongjiang Province, and was under the supervision of the General of Heilongjiang (the title is also translated as the Military Governor of Heilongjiang), whose power extended, according to the [[Treaty of Nerchinsk]], as far north as the [[Stanovoy Mountains]]. The eastern part of what's today Heilongjiang remained under the supervision of the General of Jilin, whose power reached the [[Sea of Japan]]. These areas deep in [[Manchuria]] were closed off to [[Han Chinese]] migration. The original seat of the Military Governor of Heilongjiang, as established in 1683, was in Heilongjang City (also known as Aigun or [[Heihe]], or, in [[Manchu language|Manchu]], Saghalien Ula), located on the Amur River. However, already in 1690 the seat of the governor was transferred to [[Nenjiang County|Nenjiang]] (Mergen) on the [[Nen River]], and, in 1699, further south to [[Qiqihar]]. According to modern historians, the moves may have been driven by supply considerations: Nenjiang and Qiqihar are connected by a convenient waterway (Nen River) with southern Manchuria, meanwhile accessing Aigun (Heihe) would require either sailing all the way down the [[Sungari River]] until its fall into Amur and then up the Amur to Heihe, or using a [[portage]] over the Lesser Xing'an Mountains between the Nen River valley and the Amur valley. An additional advantage of Qiqihar may have been its location at the junction of a northbound road (to Nenjiang) and a westbound one (to Mongolia), enabling its garrison to serve for the defense both against the Russians and the Ölöt [[Mongols]]. In 1858 and 1860 the [[Qing Dynasty|Qing]] government were forced to give up all land beyond the [[Amur River|Amur]] and [[Ussuri River|Ussuri]] Rivers to the [[Russian Empire]], cutting China off from the [[Sea of Japan]] and giving Heilongjiang its present northern borders. At the same time, [[Manchuria]] was opened to [[Han Chinese]] migration by the [[Qing Dynasty|Qing]] government. By the early twentieth century, due to the [[Chuang Guandong]], the [[Han Chinese]] had become the dominant ethnic group in the region. In 1932, present-day Heilongjiang became part of the [[Japan]]ese [[puppet state]] of [[Manchukuo]]. After the [[Japan]]ese defeat in 1945, [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] forces entered Manchuria and gave the Chinese communists control over most of the area. Heilongjiang became the first province to be completely controlled by the Chinese communists and [[Harbin]] the first major city to be controlled by them. From Manchuria, the communists were able to conduct the initial phases of the [[Chinese Civil War]]. At the beginning of communist rule, Heilongjiang province included only the western portion of the present-day province, and had its capital at Qiqihar. The remaining area was the [[Songjiang Province|province of Songjiang]]; its capital was Harbin. In 1954, these two provinces were merged into present-day Heilongjiang. During the [[Cultural Revolution]], Heilongjiang was also expanded to include [[Hulunbuir League]] and some other areas previously in [[Inner Mongolia]]; this has since mostly been reversed.

Geography

Heilongjiang is a land of varied topography. Much of the province is dominated by mountain ranges such as the [[Greater Khingan]] Range and [[Lesser Khingan]] Range, [[Zhangguangcai Mountains]], [[Laoye Mountains]], and [[Wanda Mountains]]. The highest peak is [[Mount Datudingzi]] at 1690 m (5545 ft), located on the border with [[Jilin]] province). The Greater Khingan Range contains China's largest remaining virgin forest and is an important area for China's forestry industry. The interior of the province, which is relatively flat and low in altitude, contains the [[Muling River]], the [[Naoli River]], the [[Songhua River]], the [[Nen River]], and the [[Mudan River]], all tributaries of the [[Amur River|Amur]]'s basin, while the northern border forms part of the [[Amur River|Amur]] valley. [[Xingkai Lake]] (or [[Khanka Lake]]) is found on the border with [[Russia]]'s [[Primorsky Krai]]. A [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] Dwa or Dwb) predominates in the province, though areas in the far north are [[Subarctic climate|subarctic]] (Köppen Dwc). Winters are long and bitter, with an average of {{convert|−31|to|−15|°C|°F|0}} in January, and summers are short and warm to very warm with an average of {{convert|18|to|23|°C|°F|0}} in July. The annual average rainfall is {{convert|400|to|700|mm|in|0}}, concentrated heavily in summer. Clear weather is prevalent throughout the year, and in the spring, the [[Songnen Plain]] and the [[Sanpingjiang Plain]] provide abundant sources of wind energy. Major cities: [[Harbin]], [[Daqing]], [[Qiqihar]], [[Mudanjiang]], [[Jiamusi]], [[Jixi]], [[Shuangyashan]], [[Hegang]], [[Qitaihe]], [[Yichun, Heilongjiang|Yichun]], [[Heihe]]

Infrastructure

A road and highway proposal was accepted in 2006; the project plans to develop 38,000 kilometers of new roads and expand Heilongjiang’s total road network to 2.3 million kilometers. There are 60 rail lines of around 5,300 kilometers including a section of the Asia-Europe Continental Bridge. Construction of a RMB92.3 billion passenger-only railway line running from Harbin-Dalian began in August 2007. The railway will stretch from Harbin, Heilongjiang’s capital, to Dalian in Liaoning province via Changchun and Shenyang comprising 23 stops. It is expected to transport 37 million passengers per year by 2020 and 51 million by 2030. Major airports include Harbin International Airport, Qiqihar Airport, Mudanjiang Airport, Jiamusi Airport and Heihe Airport. Harbin International Airport is capable of handling six million passengers every year and connects to over 40 domestic and international cities.

Administrative divisions

Heilongjiang is divided into thirteen [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China#Prefecture level|prefecture-level divisions]], consisting of twelve [[prefecture-level cities]] and one [[prefecture of China|prefecture]]: NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINE

Map	#	Name	[[Hanzi]]	[[Hanyu Pinyin]]	Administrative Seat	Population ([[Sixth National Population Census of the People's Republic of China|2010]])
[[File:Heilongjiang prfc map.png|450px]]
	— [[Sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China|Sub-provincial city]] —
	1	[[Harbin]]	哈尔滨市	Hā'ěrbīn Shì	[[Nangang District, Harbin|Nangang District]]	10,635,971
	— [[Prefecture-level city]] —
	2	[[Daqing]]	大庆市	Dàqìng Shì	[[Sartu District]]	2,904,532
	3	[[Hegang]]	鹤岗市	Hègǎng Shì	[[Xingshan District]]	1,058,665
	4	[[Heihe]]	黑河市	Hēihé Shì	[[Aihui District]]	1,673,898
	5	[[Jiamusi]]	佳木斯市	Jiāmùsī Shì	[[Qianjin District, Jiamusi|Qianjin District]]	2,552,097
	6	[[Jixi]]	鸡西市	Jīxī Shì	[[Jiguan District]]	1,862,161
	7	[[Mudanjiang]]	牡丹江市	Mǔdānjiāng Shì	[[Aimin District]]	2,798,723
	8	[[Qiqihar]]	齐齐哈尔市	Qíqíhā'ěr Shì	[[Longsha District]]	5,367,003
	9	[[Qitaihe]]	七台河市	Qītáihé Shì	[[Taoshan District]]	920,419
	10	[[Shuangyashan]]	双鸭山市	Shuāngyāshān Shì	[[Jianshan District]]	1,462,626
	11	[[Suihua]]	绥化市	Suíhuà Shì	[[Beilin District, Suihua|Beilin District]]	5,416,439
	12	[[Yichun, Heilongjiang|Yichun]]	伊春市	Yīchūn Shì	[[Yichun District]]	1,148,126
	— [[Prefecture (China)|Prefecture]] —
	13	[[Da Hinggan Ling Prefecture|Da Hinggan Ling]]	大兴安岭地区	Dàxīng'ānlǐng Dìqū	[[Jiagedaqi District]]	511,564

NEWLINENEWLINE (Additional information regarding the last prefecture can be found in [[Greater Khingan]]) The thirteen [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China#Prefecture level|prefecture-level divisions]] of Heilongjiang are subdivided into 130 [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China#County level|county-level divisions]] (65 [[District of China|district]]s, nineteen [[county-level cities]], forty-five [[County (People's Republic of China)|counties]], and one [[autonomous county]]). Those are in turn divided into 1284 [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China#Township level|township-level divisions]] (473 [[town of China|town]]s, 400 [[Townships of the People's Republic of China|township]]s, 58 [[ethnic township]]s, and 353 [[subdistrict]]s). See [[List of administrative divisions of Heilongjiang]] for a complete list of [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China#County level|county-level divisions]].

Politics

List of Secretaries of the [[Communist Party of China|CPC]] Heilongjiang Committee: #[[Zhang Qilong]] 张启龙(1949–1950) #[[Zhao Dezun]] 赵德尊 (1950–1953) #[[Feng Jixin]] 冯纪新 (1953–1954) #[[Ouyang Qin]] 欧阳钦 (1954–1965) #[[Pan Fusheng]] 潘复生 (1965–1967) #[[Wang Jiadao]] 汪家道 (1971–1974) #[[Liu Guangtao]] 刘光涛 (1977) #[[Yang Yichen (1914–1997)|Yang Yichen]] 杨易辰 (1977–1983) #[[Li Li'an]] 李力安 (1983–1985) #[[Sun Weiben]] 孙维本 (1985–1994) #[[Yue Qifeng]] 岳岐峰 (1994–1997) #[[Xu Youfang]] 徐有芳 (1997–2003) #[[Song Fatang]] 宋法棠 (2003–2005) #[[Qian Yunlu]] 钱运录 (2005–2008) #[[Ji Bingxuan]] 吉炳轩 (2008-incumbent) List of Governors: #[[Yu Yifu]] 于毅夫 (1949–1952) #[[Zhao Dezun]] 赵德尊 (1952–1953) #[[Chen Lei]] 陈雷 (1953–1954) #[[Han Guang]] 韩光 (1954–1956) #[[Ouyang Qin]] 欧阳钦 (1956–1958) #[[Li Fanwu]] 李范五 (1958–1966) #[[Pan Fusheng]] 潘复生 (1967–1971) #[[Wang Jiadao]] 汪家道 (1971–1974) #[[Liu Guangtao]] 刘光涛 (February 1977-December 1977) #[[Yang Yichen (1914–1997)|Yang Yichen]] 杨易辰(December 1977-1979) #[[Chen Lei]] 陈雷 (1979–1985) #[[Hou Jie]] 侯捷 (1985–1989) #[[Shao Qihui]] 邵奇惠 (1989–1994) #[[Tian Fengshan]] 田凤山(1994–2000) #[[Song Fatang]] 宋法棠 (2000–2003) #[[Zhang Zuoji]] 张左己 (2003-December 2007) #[[Li Zhanshu]] 栗战书 (December 2007-incumbent)

Economy

{{Ref improve section|date=December 2008}} The [[agriculture]] of Heilongjiang, heavily defined by its cold climate, is based upon crops such as [[soybean]]s, [[maize]], and [[wheat]]. Commercial crops grown include [[beet]]s, [[flax]], and [[sunflower]]s. Heilongjiang is also an important source of [[lumber]] for China. [[Pine]], especially the [[Korean pine]] and [[larch]] are the most important forms of lumber produced in Heilongjiang. Forests are mostly to be found in the [[Daxingan Mountains]] and [[Xiaoxingan Mountains]], which are also home to protected animal species such as the [[Siberian Tiger]], the [[red-crowned crane]], and the [[lynx]]. Herding in Heilongjiang is centered upon [[horse]] and [[cattle]]. Heilongjiang has the greatest number of milk cows and the highest production of [[milk]] among all the province-level divisions of China. [[Petroleum]] is of great importance in Heilongjiang, and the [[Daqing oilfields]] are an important source of petroleum for China. [[Coal]], [[gold]], and [[graphite]] are other important minerals to be found in Heilongjiang. Heilongjiang also has great potential for [[wind power]], with an average wind energy density of 200 [[watt]]s per square metre. Heilongjiang is part of [[northeast China]], the traditional base of [[industry]] for the [[People's Republic of China]]. Industry is focused upon [[coal]], [[petroleum]], [[lumber]], [[machinery]], and [[food]]. Due to its location, Heilongjiang is also an important gateway for [[trade]] with [[Russia]]. In recent years,{{when|date=January 2011}} Manchuria has suffered from stagnation. As a result, the government has started the [[Northeast Area Revitalization Plan|Revitalize Northeast China]] campaign to deal with this problem, using [[privatization]] as the preferred method of [[Chinese economic reform|economic reform]]. At least five miners were killed after a coal mine fire in Heilongjiang it was reported on September 21, 2008. Its GDP has been rising steadily since 2003, growing 37% from 2003-2007. Furthermore, the incremental value of the private economy grew by 20.1 percent in 2006 reaching RMB234 billion, and accounting for 37.6 percent of the GDP. The [[tax revenue]] from private enterprises hit RMB20.5 billion, a rise of 17.8 percent. Private enterprises in Heilongjiang witnessed the fastest development in 2007, fueling the overall economic growth of the province. Many leading private enterprises have begun to emerge. Over 200 of them have an annual income exceeding RMB100 million. The province's three major private enterprises, namely the Heilongjiang Sunflower Medicine Ltd, Qitaihe Yidaxin Coal Co., and Heilongjiang Yiyang Group, each contributed more than RMB100 million in [[tax revenue]] in 2007. At present, many private investors are involved in large construction projects in Heilongjiang. In 2006, 928 large projects absorbed private capital of RMB5 million each, and 101 projects attracted RMB100 million each within the province. In line with the central government’s policy to revitalize the Northeast, Heilongjiang is now restructuring its six pillar industries, namely equipment manufacturing, petrochemicals, food processing, energy, pharmaceuticals, and [[forest]] and [[timber processing]]. In 2009, Heilongjiang's nominal GDP was 858.7 billion yuan (US$125.7 billion), an annual growth rate of 2%. Its per capita GDP was 21,640 yuan (US$3,168). Its primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were worth 108.9 billion yuan, 436.6 billion yuan, and 285.5 billion yuan respectively. The per capita [[disposable income]] of urban residents in Heilongjiang reached 11,581 yuan (US$1,667), a rise of 13% from the previous year. The per capita net income of rural residents in the province reached 4,856 yuan (US$700), a rise of 17.5 from 2007.

Economic and Technological Development Zones

* [[Daqing]] New & Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone Daqing New & Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone was constructed in April 1992 and was then approved as a national high-tech zone by the State Council later that year. Its initial zone area is 208.54 sqkm, and it recently expanded the area by 32.45 sqkm. * [[Heihe]] Border Economic Cooperation Area * [[Harbin]] Economic and Technological Development Zone * [[Harbin]] New & Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone Harbin High-tech Zone was set up in 1988 and was approved by the State Council as a national development zone in 1991. It has a total area of 34 sqkm in the centralized parks, subdivided into Nangang, Haping Road and Yingbin Road Centralized Parks. The Nangang Centralized Park is designated for the incubation of high-tech projects and research and development base of enterprises as well as tertiary industries such as finance, insurance, services, catering, tourism, culture, recreation and entertainment, where the headquarters of large famous companies and their branches in Harbin are located; the Haping Road Centralized Park is a comprehensive industrial basis for the investment projects of automobile and automobile parts manufacturing, medicines, foodstuffs, electronics, textile; the Yingbin Road Centralized Park is mainly for high-tech incubation projects, high-tech industrial development. * Sino-Russia Dongning-Piurtaphca Trade Zone Sino-Russia Dongning-Piurtaphca Trade Zone was approved by the State Council in 2000 and was completed in 2005. The zone has a planned area of 275.4 hectare. The Chinese part of the zone has a 22-hectare trade center with 4 subsidiary area A, B, C, D. in which more than 6,000 stalls are already set up, mainly dealing with clothes, household appliances, food, construction materials, etc. * [[Suifenhe]] Border Economic Cooperation Area Suifenhe Border Economic Cooperation District (Suifenhe BECD) is located in the north of Suifenhe City, and borders Russia to the east. Suifenhe BECD is the largest among the three state-level border-trade zones of Heilongjiang, in terms of investor numbers. Suifenhe BECD has a convenient transport network. The Binzhou-Suifenhe Railway, which connects the Russian Far East Railway, is an important port for export. The railway distance between Suifenhe and Harbin is 548 km. Buguranikinai, the corresponding Russian port city, is 21 km away.

Demographics

The majority of Heilongjiang's population is [[Han Chinese]], while other [[List of Chinese nationalities|ethnic minorities]] include the [[Manchu]]s, [[Koreans]], [[Mongol]]s, [[Hui people|Hui]], [[Daur people|Daur]], [[Xibe]], [[Oroqen people|Oroqin]], [[Hezhen]] and [[Russians]]. NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINENEWLINE

Ethnic groups in Heilongjiang (2000 census)
[[Nationalities of China|Nationality]]	Population	Percentage
[[Han Chinese]]	34,465,039	95.20%
[[Manchu]]	1,037,080	2.86%
[[Koreans]]	388,458	1.07%
[[Mongol]]	141,495	0.39%
[[Hui people|Hui]]	124,003	0.34%
[[Daur people|Daur]]	43,608	0.12%
[[Xibe]]	8,886	0.03%

NEWLINENEWLINE Excludes members of the [[People's Liberation Army]] in active service.
Source: Department of Population, Social, Science and Technology Statistics of the National Bureau of Statistics of China (国家统计局人口和社会科技统计司) and Department of Economic Development of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of China (国家民族事务委员会经济发展司), eds. Tabulation on Nationalities of 2000 Population Census of China (《2000年人口普查中国民族人口资料》). 2 vols. Beijing: Nationalities Publishing House (民族出版社), 2003. (ISBN 7-105-05425-5)

Culture

Heilongjiang's culture is part of a [[Northeast_China#Culture|culture of Northeast China]] that is relatively homogeneous across this region, known in Mandarin Chinese as "Dongbei" (the northeast).

Tourism

[[Harbin]], the provincial capital, is a city of contrasts, with Chinese, [[Russia]]n, and eclectic worldwide influences clearly apparent. [[Bukui Mosque]], a national heritage site, is the largest glazed tile building in the province. [[Eastern Orthodox]], [[Roman Catholic]], and [[Protestant]] churches dot the city. The long, cold winter is the backdrop for its famed [[ice sculpture]] exhibitions. In 2007 already the 8th Ice and Snow World opened to visitors in Harbin. More than 2000 ice sculptures were on display at the annual event. [[Wudalianchi Lakes]] are a series of five lakes formed between 1719 and 1721 when volcanic eruption shaped one section of a tributary of the [[Amur River|Amur]] into five interconnected lakes. The second lake in particular is renowned for its irregular geological sights. [[Lake Jingbo]], in [[Ning'an]] County, is a section of the [[Mudan River]] that has been narrowed and shaped by volcanic eruption into a series of sights, including the [[Diaoshuilou Falls]].

Colleges and universities

{{see also|List of universities and colleges in Heilongjiang}} *[[Northeast Forestry University]] *[[Harbin Institute of Technology]] *[[Harbin Engineering University]] *[[Northeast Agricultural University]] *[[Harbin University of Science and Technology]] *[[Heilongjiang University]] *[[Heilongjiang Institute of Technology]] *[[Harbin Medical University]] *[[Daqing Staff and Workers University]] *[[Daging Petroleum Institute]] *[[Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine]] *[[Heilongjiang Commercial University]] *[[Harbin Normal University]] *[[Heilongjiang August First Land Reclamation University]] *[[Qiqihar University]]

External links

{{commons|Heilongjiang}} *[http://www.hlj.gov.cn/ Heilongjiang Government website] {{Geographic location |Centre = Heilongjiang |North = |Northeast =  Russia |East = |Southeast = |South = [[Jilin]] |Southwest = |West = [[Inner Mongolia]] |Northwest = }} {{Heilongjiang topics}} {{Heilongjiang}} {{Province-level divisions of the People's Republic of China}}