Taizhou, located in the middle part of the coast of Zhejiang Province and in the southern wing of Shanghai Economic Zone, is a newly developed comprehensive harbor city on the golden coastal line. It has jurisdiction over the 3 districts of Jiaojiang, Luqiao and Huangyan, the 2 county-level cities of Linhai and Wenling, and the 4 counties of Sanmen, Xianju, Yuhuan and Tiantai. The total land area is 9,411 sq. km, the sea area 80,000 sq. km, and the population 5.48 million, of which 1.44 million is urban population.

Taizhou, as the birthplace of China¡¯s Joint Stock Cooperative Economy, is one of the areas with the most developed market-oriented economy in China.

As early as two decades ago, the people of Taizhou had the unparalleled wisdom and nerve to initiate market-oriented economy under the Joint Stock Cooperative System in China. Taizhou has witnessed the emergence of a mature market economy and deep-rooted market concepts. The private-owned economy makes up more than 96% of its total economic output, becoming the mighty impetus for its rapid economic growth. In recent years, the GNP in Taizhou has kept an average annual increase of 13%, with its comprehensive competitiveness ranking 35th among China¡¯s large and medium-sized cities.

Through two decades¡¯ hard endeavors and development, Taizhou has established an industrial system with distinctive regional features, forged numerous brand products with mighty market competitiveness, and constructed a series of production bases with distinctive industrial advantages. Taizhou is now marching forward to becoming one of the important manufacturing bases in China. The 10 pillar industries and products in Taizhou, including automobiles, motorcycles & parts, plastic and mould, pharmaceutical products & chemical industry, household appliances, clothing machinery, valves & water pumps, handicrafts, and shoes, hats & garments have developed their great comparative advantages in the international market and are in the good graces of people from all over the world due to their long history and excellent technique. Many large-scale enterprises and investors from home and abroad see a promising prospect in these industries due to their advantages in market, cost, technology and resources. At present, more than 2,000 products have been marketed to over 160 countries and areas. People here work for the common goal of "where there are human beings, there are products made in Taizhou".

Taizhou has strengthened its efforts in building featured industrial parks to expedite industrial centralization and urbanization. It has established 5 provincial-level economic development zones with a total planned area of 87 square kilometers. It has started the construction of the sole national chemical medicine production and export base. The Taizhou Core Block of Wenzhou-Taizhou Industrial Belt under planning will be located in the southeast part of the city. It will be developed into an international investment-focused area targeted at advanced manufacturing industry and into a new town complete with supporting facilities and good environment. In three years, Taizhou will construct another 5 national production bases, 15 comprehensive industrial parks and 30 featured industrial parks.

Taizhou has frequent contact with foreign countries and its export-oriented economy is developing fast.

In recent years, Taizhou has seen a high rate of development in its open economy. It has also witnessed vigorous development in import and export trade and international capital flow. The average increase in the total foreign trade volume has almost reached 50%, wherein the export volume has approached an average of 52.5%. Taizhou has set up economic relationships with more than 160 countries and regions, exporting motorcycles, refrigerators, air conditioners, sewing machines, vacuum cleaners, cookers, valves, plastic ware & mould, medicine and chemical products, festival lanterns, furniture, handicraft, shoe & hat wears, etc.

Taizhou has kept expanding its scope of the utilization of foreign capital. From general manufacturing industry, it has now embarked on comprehensive agricultural development, environmental protection, high and new technology, realty, commercial facilities and infrastructure, transferring its industries from labor-intensive to capital-intensive and technology-intensive ones. Investors from over 60 countries and regions like Hong Kong, U.S.A., Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Korea have established more than 1,700 enterprises in Taizhou. The Lion Group of Malaysia, Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. of Japan, and Ouchan Hong Kong Corp. of France have settled in Taizhou, while American Home Depot Corp. is about to establish its plant here. Hong Kong, the largest source of foreign capital in Taizhou, accounts for 1/3 of the total amount of utilized foreign capital. Foreign capital not only facilitates the upgrading and optimization of industrial structure, but also brings forth considerable economic benefit for the investors.

Taizhou enjoys convenient transport and complete infrastructure. The three-dimensional traffic network of sea, land and air will constitute an ever better investment environment.

With its expressways linked to important seaside port cities, Taizhou is only two hours¡¯ ride to Ningbo, three hours¡¯ ride to Hangzhou and four hours¡¯ ride to Shanghai. Taizhou Airport will take you to any principal city in the country. Ningbo Airport and Wenzhou Airport can be reached within 2 hours. Taizhou Port has opened international routes. The complete set of foreign-related organs like customs, inspection and quarantine bureau render efficient service covering all the entry-exit procedures. The industrial park is well equipped as an ideal place for investment. Taizhou also enjoys a favorable ecological environment: its blue mountains and green waters will bring fresh air and a first-class living encironment for you. Taizhou government, with modern and scientific administration concepts, has long conformed to internationally accepted practices. It will be devoted to implementing reasonable and preferential policies, providing open and just services as ever and creating a superior investment environment for the investors as ever.

You can capture potential business opportunities everywhere in Taizhou once you set your foot on the land. The entry into WTO has further expedited its market economy. The strong manufacturing foundation and complete facilities help build a superior environment for the investors. Infrastructures like the new airport, railways, expressways, urban construction, energy resources and tourism need further improvement. New areas of investment have come up, including comprehensive agricultural development, marine biochemistry, IT, commerce and trade, finance, etc. People of Taizhou are sketching their beautiful blueprint with great courage and receiving guests from all over the world.

Featured Industries of Taizhou

Taizhou is the birthplace of China¡¯s Joint Stock Cooperative Economy and an important manufacturing base of Zhejiang. Back in 1978, Taizhou¡¯s total industrial output was a mere RMB 0.65 billion yuan, while in 2004, the city reached RMB 294.3 billion. After more than 20 years of development, Taizhou boasts over 80 thousand industrial enterprises, with backbone enterprises and famous brands like Qianjiang, Geely, Feiyue, Xingxing, Hisun, Supor, Dankong, Weixing, etc. Over 206 enterprises achieved a sales value of over a hundred thousand, with 9 over one billion. 48 manufactured product markets rank first at home and abroad. Nine manufacturing industries, including automobiles, motorcycles & parts, pharmaceutical products, chemical industry, mould and plastics, have been established.

I. Automobiles, Motorcycles & Parts. The 2,775 enterprises of automobiles, motorcycles & parts achieved an output value of 31.089 billion in 2004, accounting for 10.56% of all industries. The export value exceeded 0.3 billion US dollars. Taizhou is one of the four production clusters of motorcycles in China, and also the largest manufacturing and export base of motorcycles and parts. 19 complete-car enterprises on the state¡¯s announcement list of vehicle manufacturers produce 1.6 million motorcycles annually, accounting for 10% of the domestic market. Taizhou is the birthplace of domestic footplate motorcycles, and its output accounts for over 50% of the domestic market. 50% of the parts used in the major motorcycle enterprises in China come from Taizhou. ¡°Qianjiang¡± Brand has been awarded ¡°China¡¯s Famous Trade Mark¡± and ¡°China¡¯s Famous Brand Product¡±. Geely Group is the first individually-run manufacturer of automobiles in China. Its 2004 sales volume reached 100 thousand, among which 4,583 were exported. The gearboxes, rubber seals, bumpers, electric wipers and oil coolers of automobiles produced in Taizhou have a major share in the domestic market.

II. Pharmaceutical products and chemical industry. Taizhou is China¡¯s largest production and export base of medicines and chemical raw material medicines and the sole state-level export base of chemical raw material medicines. The current 3,030 enterprises produced an output value of 21.704 billion yuan in 2004, or 7.37% of all industries, among which approximately half were exported. Over 40 products under 8 categories have a big share in the international market. There are a number of national production bases of antibiotic anti-tumor, hormone, birth control and cephalo-type medicines. Internationally and nationally renowned pharmaceutical enterprises include Hisun, Dankong, Huahai, Jiuzhou, Xianju, Yongning, etc.

III. Mould and plastics. Taizhou has long been known as the ¡°Hometown of Mould¡± and ¡°Kingdom of Plastic Products¡±. It has 8,748 manufacturers of plastics and mould and over 30 thousand injection molding machines, with an output value of 30.856 billion yuan in 2004, or 10.48% of all industries. The consumption of plastic and resin was over 2 million tons, accounting for 1/8 of the national consumption. Over 90% of the plastic parts of household appliances and automobiles are processed in Taizhou. Its mould industry (95% of the products are in plastic) takes the lead in the country, with over 200 sets of central processing equipment of internationally advanced level. The plastic moulds for TV set cases alone are supplied to 50% of the domestic TV set manufacturers.

IV. Household appliances. Tainzhou is China¡¯s important production base of household appliances & cooling parts. The industrial output of 2004 was 33.592 billion yuan, or 11.41% of all industries. Its refrigerators, pressure cookers, air-conditioners and sanitary equipment lead the domestic market. Specifically, pressure cookers and non-stick cookers make up approximately 70% and 50%, and cooling parts over 10% of the domestic market share. The sales volume of refrigerators has ranked among the nation¡¯s top for five successive years and the market share is up to about 25%. Xingxing, Supor and ASD are China¡¯s Famous Trade Marks, while Xingxing Freezer, Supor Cooker and Non-Stick Cooker and ASD Non-Stick Cooker are China¡¯s Famous Brand Products. Xingxing Freezer/Fridge, Double Deer Air-Conditioner, Supor Non-Stick Cooker and ASD Non-Stick Cooker are State Inspection-Free Products.

V. Clothing machinery. Taizhou is China¡¯s important production and export base of clothing machinery. The 2,094 enterprises produce annually more than 200 varieties and over 3 million industrial sewing machines, household multi-function sewing machines, electric cutting machines, etc. The 2004 output value was 10.3 billion dollars, of which the export volume was 0.3 billion, accounting for 40% of the whole country, ranking first both in output and export volume. Specifically, zigzag industrial sewing machines and electric cutting machines take up 70% of the international market share. Feiyue Group is the ¡°dragon king¡± of domestic sewing machine industry. Feiyue earned China¡¯s Famous Trade Mark, and Feiyue, Zhongjie and Baoshi are China¡¯s Famous Brands.

VI. Valves and water pumps. Taizhou is China¡¯s largest production base of valves and water pumps. It boasts over 12 thousand enterprises. The output value of 2004 was 37.192 billion yuan in 2004, or 12.64% of all industries. Submerged pumps, screw pumps (spiral pumps) and family pumps occupy three fourths of the domestic market, and are exported in large quantities to Southeast Asia. Taizhou is also China¡¯s largest production and export base of low pressure bronze ball valves of over 600 specifications under 30 categories, accounting for over 50% of the domestic market and over 60% of the total export of China.

VII. Handicraft presents. Taizhou is China¡¯s largest production and export base of Christmas presents and festival lanterns. The over 11 thousand enterprises produced an output value of 35.784 billion yuan in 2004, accounting for 12% of all industries. There are over ten thousand varieties under the five categories of festival products, traveling products, decoration products, toys and artistic engraving which are exported to over 80 countries and regions on the six continents. The production of crystal ranks the world¡¯s second and Asia¡¯s first, while wooden handicrafts, festival lanterns, parasols and automobile ornaments rank first in China in terms of production and export volume. Taizhou has won the titles of ¡°China¡¯s Capital of Artistic Handicrafts¡±, ¡°China¡¯s Capital of Artistic Handicraft Presents¡± and ¡°China¡¯s Production Base of Leisure Products and Presents¡±.

VIII. Food & Beverage. Taizhou¡¯s food and beverage industry mainly produces canned food, beer, beverage, aquatic products, etc. The 3,465 enterprises produced an output value of 11.717 billion yuan in 2004, accounting for 3.98% of all industries. Huangguan Group is one of the largest producers and exporters of canned food in the world. Its canned mandarin orange accounts for 1/3 of the world production and about half of the country¡¯s. Taizhou¡¯s annual aquatic output is around 1.4 million tons, the first in the province. The frozen shrimps are mainly exported to Japan, and their export volume ranks at the top in China.

IX. Shoes, hats and garments. Taizhou¡¯s shoe, hat & garment industry has the largest number of enterprises, the largest distribution area and the greatest advantages of industrial clusters. Its 18 thousand enterprises produced an output value of over 37.424 billion yuan in 2004, accounting for 12.72% of all industries. Its annual production value of artificial leather shoes is about 0.6 billion, the majority of which are exported to Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Africa, etc., ranking the first both in output and export volume.

Introduction of Taizhou¡¯s Featured Exhibitions

China Plastic Fair & China Daily Commodities Fair

Luqiao District of Taizhou is one of the birthplaces of domestic markets and therefore has a long history of commerce and trade. It is part of downtown Taizhou specializing in commerce and trade. Beginning from 1999, Luqiao District has held its daily commodities fair every year. The first China Plastic Products Fair was held in this district in 2001. Each fair has attracted nearly one thousand enterprises to exhibit their products and one million visitors. The famous, top-quality, special and new products are brought together and each fair has achieved a sales volume of over 2 billion yuan, making it an important fair in the domestic commercial economy.

China (Taizhou) Auto Industry Fair

Taizhou has three complete-car manufacturers¡ªGeely, Gonow and Jonway. The automobile industry is an important part of Taizhou¡¯s manufacturing industry. The China (Taizhou) Auto Industry Fair held at Luqiao every year features the exhibition and trading of auto parts, including complete cars, auto products, auto electronic products, auto environmental protection and energy saving products, tools, equipment, maintenance products, etc. There are 600 booths and an exhibition area of 15 thousand square meters. During the fair, a number of symposia, seminars and lectures on the development of auto industry are held.

China Southern Great Wall Festival

Linhai, a state-level historic and cultural city, has kept a large number of relics of government buildings. Called "the Great Wall in the South of Yangtze River", the ancient city wall comes out first in the area south of Yangtze River. Following the 1st China Ancient City Gathering and Southern Great Wall Festival held in 2000, Linhai held the second China Southern Great Wall Festival and a series of cultural activities about ancient cities in 2001. It is now a brand festival promoting ¡°Famous City of Waters and Mountains, State of Culture¡±.

Sanmen Blue Crab Festival

Sanmen Blue Crab is known for its ¡°thin shell, matured roe, tender meat and good taste¡±. Sanmen County has over 200 years of blue crab breeding and catching. The breeding area of ¡°Sanmen Bay¡± saw-bordered blue crabs is nearly 100 thousand mu, producing an annual output of over 10 thousand tons of crabs, accounting for half of Zhejiang Province and one fifth of the whole country and is increasing by 20 thousand mu a year¡ªa prospect of ¡°Sanmen Blue Crabs dominating the market¡±. Every September, when the autumn wind breezes a cool freshness, the crab matures and the roe is a golden yellow. Thousands of domestic and international tourists and customers from far and wide are attracted to the Sanmen Blue Crab Festival.

Yuhuan China Pomelo Festival

Yuhuan is the hometown of pomelo in China. The pomelo started to be grown here over a hundred years ago. This fruit is highly nutritious with a sweet, refreshing taste. It even has the function of clearing the lungs and intestines. The renowned economist Yu Guangyuan gave it the name of ¡°First Pomelo in China¡±. Another name for pomelo is the ¡°Reunion Fruit¡±, signifying family reunion, happiness and perfection.

Xianju Waxberry Festival

¡°In June at Xianju the view is wonderful/Tasting the waxberry is an immortal.¡± People here are honest, simple and hospitable. When the waxberry is ripe in June, they will invite guests to come over to taste the berries and bring back some as a present. Gradually this has become a tradition. Xianju has over 2,334 hectares of waxberry base with an annual output of over 10,000 tons. The waxberries produced in this region are typically big with a small kernel, tasting pleasantly sweet sour. It won the title of Brand Product at the 1999' China International Agricultural Expo. The Xianju Waxberry Festival held in early June has gathered many tourists and fruit merchants at home and abroad.

Mt. Tiantai Azalea Festival

At Huading, the highest peak of Mt. Tiantai, azalea trees, colorful and glorious, are in full bloom every May, covering every inch of the mountain. It is such a splendid view. The Azalea Festival is an occasion where the flower acts as the go-between between artists and the matchmaker between merchants. During the Festival, a series of cultural activities such as photography competition, tea art performance, folk custom performance, Miss Azalea contest, etc. are staged, bringing it much fame as a tourist and festive activity.