Fuzhou

Industrial port and capital of Fujian province, on the Min River in southeast China; population (2000) 2,032,900. It is a centre for shipbuilding and steel production; rice, sugar, tea, and fruit pass through the port. Traditionally renowned for its handicrafts, particularly carving and lacquerware, Fuzhou's industries now include electronics, food-processing, and the manufacture of textiles and building materials. There are joint foreign and Chinese factories.

History

In 1984 Fuzhou was designated an open coastal city for foreign investment and trade, and a new industrial estate was opened at Mawei outside the city. The Matsu island group, occupied by Taiwan, lies offshore.

Features To the east of the city is the 1,000-year-old Yongquan Monastery. The ancient Wanshou Bridge connects the city with Nantai Island, which once housed its foreign quarters.

The world-famous ornithologist, Zheng Zuoxin (1906-1998), was born in Fuzhou.

Communications Fuzhou is located 55 km/34 mi from the mouth of the Min River on the Taiwan Strait. The railway line from Fuzhou connects with the main Shanghai-Guangzhou line at Yingtan. There is also a circuitous railway line to Xiamen. The city is linked to Shanghai and Guangzhou by China's main coastal highway. Airport services provide flights to major destinations in the country. Because of sand bars, Fuzhou's main anchorage is at Mawei, 16 km/10 mi downstream, and bulk cargoes of timber and paper, requiring vessels of deeper draft, are shipped from the harbour of Guantou, still farther downstream.