The Industrial Rejuvenation of an Old Urban District

By LI QIN & ZHOU HUAN

DADONG District lies in what was the former site of the Qing imperial court – Shenyang – before the Manchu royal family gained national control and moved into Beijing's Forbidden City in 1644. Nestled in this center of the Manchu civilization, Dadong boasts a rich historic and cultural legacy of the Manchu people.

The modern history of the district, however, outshines its reputation as the cradle of China's national industry, which dates back more than a century. In the current drive to "rejuvenate old industrial bases," Dadong has reestablished its industrial eminence, and sustained it with its flourishing auto industry (cars, and spares and parts as well), defense contractors, electro-mechanic manufacturing, new metallurgical materials processing, chemical pharmaceuticals, and food-related industries.

Wanquan Park, a landmark in southern Dadong.

Consolidating the Auto Industry

Car making is primary to the economic development of the district. Its three leading manufacturers – Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei Automobile Co., Ltd., BMW Brilliance Automotive Co., Ltd., and Shanghai GM (Shenyang) Norsom Motors Co., Ltd. – have maintained a steady momentum of dynamic growth for years. According to preliminary studies, the three automakers combined produced upwards of 320,000 cars in 2009, with a total output value of RMB 36.8 billion. The auto industry contributed 24 percent of Dadong's tax revenues.

Now the district's auto base has been expanded into a municipal economic edge. Based on Dadong's car making facilities, Shenyang's compact automobile industrial zone has passed a feasibility study and is edging further out in the eastern part of the city. In the zone, models of the new BMW X5 series are rolling off the production line; the BMW F18 and Jinbei Class-A projects are proceeding smoothly as scheduled; Shanghai GM is focused on upgrading its Buick GL8 executive wagon.