Download A Geographer`s guide to Heilongjiang Province including Harbin by

A Geographer’s guide to Heilongjiang Province
including Harbin by Heather Trim
Overview ofHeilongjiang Province
Heilongjiang is the most northern province in China and has an area of more than 460,000
square kilometres. It borders the provinces of Inner Mongolia to the west, Jilin to the south
and Russia on the northeast. "Heilongjiang" literally means Black Dragon River, which is the
Chinese name for the River Amur.
Historically it was one of the main gateways from China to Russian and Europe.
Map of location within China
Province Map
Physical geography
Relief
http://www.maphill.com/china/h
eilongjiang/3d-maps/physical-map/cropped-outside/
The province of Heilongjiang occupies about half of the huge Northeast (Manchurian) Plain,
surrounded on three sides by old mountain ranges of medium elevation. Plain makes up 30%
with remaining 70% as mountains.
Its central part is the low lying plain of the Sungari (Songhua) and Nen (Nonni) rivers,
tributaries of the Amur (Heilong). Sanjiang Plain formed of alluvium from the rivers is the
largest marsh/wetland region and the most productive arable land in China.
The plain is surrounded by relatively low mountain ranges exceeding 1,000 metres only in
the southeastern and northwest:

Da Hinggan (Greater Khingan) Range of Inner Mongolia on the west are composed
mainly of igneous rocks resistant to erosion and weathering and contains China's
largest remaining virgin forest of larch, birch, aspen, and pine. The mountains form
an important climatic divide. They take most of the precipitation from the
southeasterly winds and produce a comparatively wet climate (precipitation
exceeds500 mm pa) that contrasts sharply with the arid region to the
west.

Xiao Hinggan (Lesser Khingan) Range on the north. The structure of the Xiao
Hinggan Range is more complex. Its northern part is composed of granite, volcanic
basalt, and other metamorphic rocks. The average elevation is about 700 metres; the
granite peaks near Yichunrise to 1,150 metres. The western slope facing the Nen
River is gentle, while the eastern slope is steep. The southern end of the Xiao
Hinggan is composed of archlike, folded, stratified rock.

Zhangguangcai and Laoye ranges on the east.
Drainage
The Amur is the longest river in the province forming the border with Russia. It is ice bound
from November to May. The Amur’s chief tributary, the Sungari River, is the main
waterway of the province. The low altitude of the plain means many meanders with
extensive ox bow lakes.
The Ussuri River forms the Sino-Russian boundary on the east. It is a broad, slow-moving
river and has a tributary linking it with Lake Khanka (Xingkai Hu), the largest freshwater lake
in East Asia.
Climate
Predominantly humid continental climate with long and bitter winters (−31 to −15 °C in
January)lasting six to eight months and short, warm summers (18 to 23 °C in July). The
annual average rainfall is 400 to 700 mm, predominantly in summer. Areas in the far north
are subarctic.
Soil
Humus-rich, highly fertile black soils (Chernozems) are found in the Sungari-Nenriver plain.
Eastern part has the best soils, yielding crops for years without fertilization so form the main
agricultural region.
In the Xiao Hingganmountains, soils change with elevation. Chernozems dominate the
foothills with mountain brown forest soils higher up. Still higher the cold, wet soils are
podzolized so are of low fertility, and their cultivation causes erosion.
Population
The majority of Heilongjiang's population is Han Chinese.
Ethnic groups in Heilongjiang (2000 census)
Nationality
Population
Percentage
Han Chinese
34,465,039
95.20%
Manchu
1,037,080
2.86%
Koreans
Mongol
Hui
Daur
Xibe
388,458
141,495
124,003
43,608
8,886
1.07%
0.39%
0.34%
0.12%
0.03%
According to ADB reports on Songhua River basin, nearly half of the very poor in the rural areas
belong to ethnic minorities. Many of these minorities have not benefitted from rising standards of
living and live below or close to the poverty line because of the remoteness of villages, poor natural
conditions, low education, lack of marketable skills, and poor access to markets and social services.
History Summary
Heilongjiang was sparsely inhabited by hunters and fishermen. During the 17th century the
region became a zone of competition between Russia and China. The region remained
sparsely settled because access was difficult before railroads were built there, and it was
therefore highly vulnerable to Russian and Japanese expansion during the 19th century.
The Russians occupied Heilongjiang from 1900 to 1905. After the Russian Revolution of
1917 the Bolsheviks renounced special privileges in northern Manchuria as a friendly gesture
toward China. Heilongjiang remained under Chinese control until Japan invaded Manchuria
in September 1931. It then became a part of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo
(Manzhouguo; 1932–45).
On Aug. 15, 1945, Soviet troops entered Manchuria, but they evacuated it later to make
way for Chinese communist troops. After the Sino-Soviet rift in 1960, there were several
armed clashes along the international border. The border dispute remained unresolved until
2005. Meanwhile, Heilongjiang underwent dramatic and sustained growth that transformed
it into one of China’s major economic regions.
Economy
Economic Data of Heilongjiang Province in 2012
Area
454,800 sq.km
Population
38.34 million (2011 Data)
Main Cities
Harbin, Qiqihaer, Hegang, Shuangyashan,
Jixi, Daqing, Yichun, Mudanjiang, Jiamusi,
Qitaihe, Heihe, Suihua, Daxinganling
GDP
1369.16 billion RMB
Growth of 12.7%
Main Industry
Animal husbandry and fishery, Green food,
machinery , Petrochemical, Energy, Food
industry
FDI
3.9 billion, Growth of 10.8%
Main Export Commodities
Fresh food, Water seafood, Processed food,
Textile, Leather products, Wood products
and Paper, Minerals, Cement, Steel,
Mechanical and Electrical products, High-tech
products, Refined oil
Main Import Commodities
Fresh food, Mineral products, Paper, Crude
oil, Plastic products
Export Amount of Goods
14.44 billion, Decline of 18.3%
Import Amount of Goods
23.39 billion, Growth of 12.2%
Number of Visitors
Domestic and foreign tourists: 253.82 m
24.2% increase from the previous year
Resources and power
Heilongjiang has significant reserves of several minerals, notably petroleum, coal, gold, and
graphite. During the 1950s emphasis was placed on the development of coal mining. The
Daqing oil field began operation in 1960 and is China’s major inland field but production has
declined every year since 2000.
The province also has vast commercially exploitable forest resources, with pines
constituting the most valuable timber species.
Energy production was also a major focus in Heilongjiang from the 1950s, and the
generation of electric power has become a major component of the province’s economy.
Numerous hydroelectric stations have been built, as well as thermal-generating plants.Great
potential for wind power, with an average wind energy density of 200 watts m2.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
Since 1949 large tracts of low-lying alluvial land have been reclaimed between the Sungari
and Ussuri rivers with large-scale state farms established.
Crops cultivated include: soybeans, maize, wheat, rice, millet, sorghum and industrial crops
including sugar beet,flax and sunflowers. Cultivation is highly mechanized but limited use of
irrigation or chemical fertilizers.
A major dairy area.
Raw timber is a major product and the Sungari River is a major freshwater fishery that
produces salmon and sturgeon, including beluga sturgeon (Husohuso).
Manufacturing
Heilongjiang is one of China’s major manufacturing regions, producing motor vehicles,
generators, agricultural machinery, locomotives, building materials, flax fabrics, beet sugar,
dairy products, and beverages. Much of Heilongjiang’s industry is based on the exploitation
of its rich mineral resources; for example, its petrochemical industry uses a large part of the
petroleum produced there.
As the Daqing oil fields are depleting and oil production has been dropping every year since
2000, there is a pressing need for a new economic growth engine. At present, many
investments are being made in large construction projects, water conservation, and airport
expansion within Heilongjiang. Additionally, emerging industries such as equipment
manufacturing, energy, petrochemicals, textiles and food processing are being planned.
Major Cities
Economic profile of major cities
Links
Population(2013
Summary
Harbin
9.95 million
Equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals,
food processing and petrochemicals.
Military and air base during the Japanese
occupation (1931–45). Electricity production
and supply, construction materials, chemicals
and agricultural products processing are the
pillar industries in the city. Major industrial
products in the city include cement, edible oils,
fertilizer and feed. The industrial sector in
Jiamusi
Data)
2.42m
Shuangyashan
1.5m
Qiqihar (Tsitsihar),
5.59m
Daqing
2.82 m
Jiamusi is relatively weak compared with other
cities in Heilongjiang such as Harbin and
Daqing. The Jiamusi paper mill is one of the
largest in China.
Metal and food processing, production of
lumber and construction materials, coal mining
and dressing, steel and iron, and electricity.
Qiqihar (Tsitsihar), the second largest city and
former capital of the province. Qiqihar is part
of Harbin Daqing Qiqihar Industrial Corridor,
which will become a comprehensive industrial
base with a focus on petrochemicals, energy,
autos, electronics, medicine and food by 2020.
The corridor is expected to boost
Heilongjiang's foreign trade and accelerate the
province's economic development. In 2012,
the corridor has industrial output of RMB
17.83 billion.
Being the most important petrochemical base
in China, Daqing has established five pillar
industries, including extraction of petroleum
and natural gas, petrochemicals, agricultural
product processing, building materials and
equipment manufacturing.
Profile of Harbin
Its name is originally a Manchurian word, meaning “a place for drying fishing nets”.
Harbin, the largest city and capital of the province, grew in 1898 as a construction base for
the Chinese Eastern Railway across northern Manchuria. It soon became the region’s major
transportation hub and communications centre, with direct rail links to the Russian railroad
network and to the Sea of Japan (East Sea).
By the 1950s the Harbin area had become one of China’s primary industrial development
centres, with an emphasis on heavy industry.
Major Economic Indicators (2013)
Land Area (km2)
53,796 (Ranking)
Population(million)
9.95 (Ranking)
GDP (RMB billion)
501.08 (Ranking)
GDP Composition
Primary Industry (Agriculture)
11.8%
Secondary Industry
(Industry & Construction)
34.8%
Tertiary Industry (Service)
53.4%
Actually Utilized FDI (USD million)
2,260 (Ranking)
Sales of Social Consumer Goods (RMB
billion)
272.83 (Ranking)
Source: Harbin Economic and Social Development Report 2013
Economic Features
Main industries: equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing and
petrochemicals.
Service industry based on retail and tourism has seen stable growth in recent years.
(53.4% of the city’s GDP). In 2013, sales of consumer goods of the city rose 13.9%
to RMB 272.83 billion. In 2013, more than 55.48 million tourists have visited the
city, while the tourism income amounted to RMB 66.85 billion.
Harbin is one of the major destinations of FDI in Heilongjiang. In 2013 the city’s
utilized FDI amounted to US$2.26 billion, increased 19.7% year on year. The foreign
investments focus on electronics, food, chemicals, the light industry, energy and real
estate.
State Development Zones
Name
Area
Pillar Industries
(km²)
Harbin Economic &
Technological
Development Zone
10.0
GDP in
2010
(RMB
billion)
Automobiles and auto parts, medicine,
22.7
food, electronics, textiles
Optical-mechanical-electrical
Harbin Hi-tech Industrial
23.7 integration, biology, medicine,
N.A.
Development Zone
electronics and information technology
Cultural Highlights
Harbin was strongly influenced by Russian culture. More than 160,000 foreigners
from 33 countries migrated to Harbin, promoting the development of a capitalist
economy in the city. As a result, Harbin gradually grew into a famous international
commercial port, and its cityscape was shaped by the mixed people and culture. It is
famous for its Russian and European architecture.
Due to its long and cold winter, Harbin is also well-known for its winter culture.
The “Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival” held since 1985 is one of the
world’s four largest ice and snow festivalsand includes winter activities such as
Yabuli Alpine Skiing, winter-swimming in Songhua River, and the ice- lantern
exhibition in Zhaolin Garden. Link:
http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/198585.htm
Links: http://www.chinaknowledge.com/CityInfo/City.aspx?Region=NorthEast&City=Harbin
Environmental issues
1. International Management of River Basins: R. Amur
Amur-Heilong River basin exemplifies transboundary regions in need of shared
environmental responsibility. Cultural traditions and the pace of economic development are
radically different in China, Mongolia and Russia butsustainable development requires
cooperation in the field of environmental protection and nature resource management
Link: http://amur-heilong.net/http/fullindex.html
2. Air Pollution
Case study: 2013 Harbin smog: “China smog emergency shuts city of 11 million people”
Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/21/us-china-smogidUSBRE99K02Z20131021
People ride along a street on a smoggy day in Daqing, Heilongjiang province, October 21, 2013.
3. Sanjiang Plain Wetlands Protection
The Plain is one of the most important grain production areas. Supporting rich biological
diversity, which includes 23 species listed in the World Conservation Union as globally
threatened, the wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain are some of the most species-rich and
endemic-rich ecosystems in Asia. However, the wetlands and forestlands have shrunk to
one fifth of their original size in the last five decades because of increasing population and
grain production, and flora and fauna in the wetland nature reserves (NRs) are threatened
by farmland encroachment and water resource exploitation.
Link: http://www.adb.org/projects/35289-013/details
4.
Graphite Rain 2014
Graphite production in Heilongjiang province is under the spotlight following pollution
complaints which could lead to restrictions in the world's leading producing region.
Link: http://www.indmin.com/Article/3298690/Graphite-pollution-fears-spread-toHeilongjiang-China.html
Tourism Resources
As one of the “national ecological model provinces”, Heilongjiang has 9 national nature
reserves, 16 provincial nature reserves and 37 national forestry parks providing resources for
developing eco-tourism.
Resources for ice and snow activities are the best in China. Snow-skiing period in the
province lasts 120-140 days in a year.100 locations chosen for building large-scale skiing
grounds.
Unique history left a rich cultural legacy and customs. The Bohai State during the Tang
Dynasty, the ruins of the Jin-dynasty capital in Huining and the ruins of Longquan Mansion
are among those of historical interest.
The crossing-border tours to Russia launched on the border rivers of Heilong and Wusuli
attract tourists from all over the country. Such cities as Harbin, Daqing and Yichun attract
tourists with their distinctive style of northern frontier cities. In addition, there are the Zoo
of Northeast China Tigers, the Reserve of Red-Crowned Cranes, the site for admiring the
northern lights, the forest at a crate, and a number of large-scale enterprises of mining,
farming and oilfields open to tourists.
Unit 731 (in the village of Pingfan, 16 miles south of Harbin) was a germ warfare facility,
where the Japanese conducted human experiments during World War II. Between 3,000
and 12,000 prisoners are believed to have died from these experiments. No survivors have
been located.
Recent articles
June 2014:Coke builds new green plant in Heilongjiang
Link: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/business/consumer/Coke-builds-new-green-plant-inHeilongjiang/shdaily.shtml
June 2014: “Virtual Water” Accounting Tracks China’s Supply
Link: http://www.asianscientist.com/in-the-lab/virtual-water-accounting-tracks-chinas-supply2014/
Heather Trim
13/7/2014