main cities of fujian: fuzhou, xiamen, quanzhou, nanping, sanming, zhangzhou
fujian province ,fujian province lies in the southeastern coast of china, facing taiwan across the straits and close to hong kong and macao. it covers a land area of over 120,000 square kilometers and a sea area of over 130,000 square kilometers and has a population of 32.6 million. fujian is one of the
first provinces in china opened to outside world and, authorized by the central government. it has implemented a series of experimental measures for comprehensive reforms towards the establishment of a socialist market economic mechanism. fujian is a major home town for overseas chinese and taiwan compatriots. 8 million overseas chinese, 800 thousand compatriots in hong kong and macao and 80% of taiwan compatriots have all traced their ancestral homes to fujian is an ideal place for tourism, enjoying a rich culture and numerous sites of historical and cultural interests. both wuyi mountains and meizhou island are state tourist holiday resorts, it is also an important province for forestry and fishery, boasting a forest coverage rate of 57.3%and half of the fish species in china .with a mild climate and green all the year around, fujian is endowed with abundant water resources ,a long coastline and rich mineral deposits.
fujian province is a key area for accelerated development .since the reform and opening-up policy was initiated, fujian has witnessed historical changes in its social and economic development .its gdp has increased by eight folds against 1980, currently ranking number 12 against number 23 in 1978, while its per capita gdp is now ranking number 8 against number 22 in 1978. urban and rural residents income has notably increased and their living standard has been remarkably improved .the opening-up drive is developing in width and depth and a comprehensive pattern of opening has taken shape in fujian province ,covering a special economic zone ,coastal open cities, economic and technological development zones, taiwan investment zones ,bonded zones and high-tech zones. fujian has establishment economic and trade contacts with over 150 counties and regions in the world .up to now it has attracted nearly us $ 20 billion of foreign investment and its annual exports are valued at over us $10 billion .with the socialist market economic mechanism in the process of forming, fujian has nurtured and cultivated commodities and factors markets that are adapted to market economy and conform to international practice. fujian 's infrastructure is constantly improving .it has a developed highway network ,a criss-crossing railway system , a convenient water transportation network with three ports in fuzhou ,xiamen and meizhou bay ,four airports in fuzhou, xiamen, wuyi mountains and jinjiang, the first two being international airports ,and a number of large and medium-size power stations such as shuikou hydro power station and xiamen songyu thermal power plant. program-controlled telephone service is available in every county of the province and direct dials can reach over 170 countries and regions in the world.