Shantou

Port and industrial city in Guangdong province, southeast China; population (2000) 3,070,400. It was opened as a special economic zone in 1979. Industries include food-processing, and the export-oriented manufacture of clothes, shoes, and electronic goods. Other exports include timber, food products, fish, and fruit.

Shantou is the terminus of a branch from the Beijing–Kowloon railway, and is on the national coastal highway.

History Originally a small fishing village, the port was opened to foreign trade in 1860. In the late 19th century many Cantonese (native to Guangdong) emigrants sailed from Shantou for the USA, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. It was occupied by Japan during World War II.