Lianyungang City, "Oriental Bridgehead" of the New Eurasian Continental Bridge

By staff reporters WU XINYI & GAO YAN

Lianyungang, an international port.

Lianyungang City in northeast Jiangsu Province is one of China's most vital economic and technological development zones. This ancient but vigorous city is at the juncture of the ancient maritime and overland Silk Roads. Today, it is the starting point of the new Eurasian Continental Bridge. Trade, development and prospects all start from this strategic area. As President Jiang Zemin said when visiting Lianyungang last year: "A long journey starts with the first step."

The Harbor -- Soul of the City

Lianyungang is one of the largest harbor cities in China. In 186 BC the first Chinese emperor Qinshihuang built Qindongmen -- first gateway to China -- at the foot of Kongwang Mountain in Haizhou (Lianyungang's former name). From then on, Lianyungang was one of the four main gateway into ancient China. Today, it is a modern harbor with an advantageous geographic location that facilitates all forms of transportation.

Huaguo Mountain.

Lianyungang's modern, multi-functional, international harbor is its very soul. It carries on trade and shipping with 1,000 ports in more than 160 countries. Development in China's western regions has helped increase the harbor's annual capacity from 20 million tons to 30 million tons in less than two years, an increase rate highest among the top 10 harbors in China.

Lianyungang's development is also due to skilful administration. In recent years, the Lianyungang municipal government has implemented a strategy of vitalizing the city through developing its harbor. The administration bureau of Lianyungang harbor works under a system of modern enterprise management, and has expanded the harbor's handling capacity to keep pace with development trends and to make the harbor more competitive. There is every reason to believe that East China's Lianyungang harbor will eventually become a key international port.

Travel--Essence of City Culture

Lianyungang city's diverse scenic spots and tourism resources make it one of the 49 main tourism cities in China. It is embedded in the Yuntaishan scenic resort.

Huaguoshan, legendary mountain of the Chinese classical novel Journey to the West, is in Lianyungang city. On walking through Huaguoshan's verdant and lush forest a wide range of flora and fauna species spring to view. Some of its rocks have been shaped into likenesses -- of people, legendary figures, even monkeys -- by the natural forces of wind and rain over centuries. Among the hundreds of caves on the mountain, the Water Curtain Cave, where a waterfall cascades over its entrance, is most memorable for its astounding natural beauty.

Lianyungang by night.

Lianyungang's Donghai County is a font of natural crystals. They are mostly white, but can also be seen in brown, yellow, pink, and purple. Their types include the hair crystal, which contains hair-like substances, and the grass and water-core crystals.

Lianyungang also has a long history of wickerwork which visitors admire for its exquisite workmanship and unique designs, embellished by shell-carvings and dried flowers.

The seafood here is famous. There is one strange sea creature known as the "grandmother shrimp" whose body bears a striking resemblance to both a mantis and a shrimp. It is often mixed with flour and eggs to make pancakes. Local crabs and sea cucumbers are also nutricious and delicious specialities .

Its enchanting scenic spots, local arts and crafts and culinary specialties make Lianyungang a travel and vacationing haven among Chinese coastal cities.

New Silk Road Starts from Here

Lianyungang's mayor Liu Yongzhong (first right) entertaining overseas visitors.

Lianyungang was dubbed the Oriental Bridgehead of the new Eurasian Continental Bridge by the Chinese government in 1991, due to its location at the eastern end of this international railway. Inangurated on September 12, 1990, this 10, 900-km-long railway constitutes a vital trade passage between Asia and Europe. From Lianyungang it traverses China, Kazakstan, Russia, Poland, Germany and Holland, where it ends in Rotterdam.

The Chinese government has followed the development of this international railway closely, particularly from the viewpoint of sustainable development projects in the areas along its path. A favorable investment environment is being rapidly cultivated in the city. In the meantime, Lianyungang is cooperating with central Asian and east European countries in the economic and commercial domain. On the basis of its convenient transport and abundant natural resources, Lianyungang has established a series of pillar industries, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, electronics, chemicals and building materials.

To reiterate the old Chinese saying "A long journey starts with the first step", and Lianyungang will continue to welcome friends and visitors from all over the world as it faces new opportunities and challenges that have come with China's WTO entry.