Central Hub
The rise of central China gives a boost to its leading city
Eric Arndt
A
politically and economically prominent city in the early and mid-twentieth
century, Wuhan, Hubei, was once the scene of some of the Cultural
Revolution’s (1966–76) most intense moments and a favorite getaway for Mao
Zedong. Although Wuhan has since lost its former political weight, it remains an eco-
nomic leader in central China. The city is also building on traditional strengths—strate-
gic location and nationally significant heavy industrial and tertiary educational bases—
to position itself as a modern, high-tech center.
Home to 8.3 million people, Ningxia Shandong city a natural hub for waterway
Wuhan is central China’s largest Shanxi transport and ensuring its status
city. It is also one of central Gansu as a key trading center for cen-
China’s most prosperous and Shaanxi Henan Jiangsu turies. Wuhan’s location also
fastest growing cities. From places it within easy reach of
2000 to 2007, its economy near- Wuhan Anhui Shanghai China’s major population cen-
Y Hubei
ly tripled in size, from ¥120.7 ters: Beijing, Chongqing,
billion ($17.7 billion) to ¥314.1 Chongqing Zhejiang Guangzhou, Shanghai,
billion ($46.1 billion). Growth Shenzhen, and Tianjin.
Hunan Jiangxi
continued at 2007’s 15.6 percent Guizhou
Numerous provincial capitals—
pace in the first half of 2008. Fujian including Nanjing, Jiangsu, and
The heavy industrial sector—led Taiwan Xi’an, Shaanxi—all lie within a
by China’s first major steel com- Guangdong 1,200 km radius of the city.
Guangxi
plex and fourth-largest steel pro- Strategically important to
ducer, Wuhan Iron and Steel China’s transportation network,
(Group) Corp.—has spearhead- Wuhan has benefited hugely
ed this growth. Taking advantage from China’s transport infra-
of this base, many foreign Hainan structure boom and is slated to
automakers have set up shop become an even more important
there, most prominently Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën rail, road, air, and water hub. Major rail lines and express-
Automobile Co. Ltd., Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., ways that connect Beijing with cities in Guangdong, and
Ltd., and Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Co. In Shanghai with Chengdu, pass through Wuhan. The city’s
2007, auto industry revenue grew more than 33 percent inland port is expanding and will be capable of handling
to ¥75.8 billion ($11.1 billion). 100 million tons of cargo annually by 2010, according to
Cargonews Asia. Current facilities are capable of berthing
Strategic logistics location sea-going ships of 10,000 tons. In addition, Wuhan’s
Much of Wuhan’s past, present, and likely future promi- Tianhe Airport is the largest in central China, providing
nence stems from its position astride the confluence of the service for domestic and regional carriers, and the Civil
Yangzi River and its tributary, the Han Shui, making the Aviation Administration of China has developed plans
Government Contacts
Wuhan City Government Wuhan Economic Committee Wuhan Development and Reform Commission
www.wh.gov.cn www.whec.gov.cn www.whjw.gov.cn
Mayor: Ruan Chengfa Director: Yu Xinguo Director: Long Zhengcai
Vice Mayors: 6th Floor, Bingjiang Hotel Address: 188 Yanjiang Dadao, Jiang’an Qu
Yuan Shanla, Yue Yong, Hu Xukun, Zhang 2 Shanhaiguan Lu, Jiang’an Qu Wuhan 430014
Xuemang, Liu Shunni, Yin Weizhen, Sun Ya Wuhan 430010 Tel: 86-27-8279-6001
Assistant Mayor: Wan Yong Tel: 86-27-8273-8101
Wuhan Science and Technology Bureau
China Council for the Promotion of Wuhan Administration www.whst.gov.cn
International Trade, Wuhan Sub-Council of Industry and Commerce Director: Yang Xinnian
www.wuhanccpit.org www.whhd.gov.cn Science and Technology Mansion
Director: Cao Hengsheng Director: Wu Qing 164 Fazhan Dadao, Jianghan Qu
8th Floor, International 259 Xianggang Lu, Jianghan Qu Wuhan 430023
Trade Promotion Mansion Wuhan 430015 Tel: 86-27-6569-2122
217 Taibei Lu, Jianghan Qu Tel: 86-27-8562-3210
Wuhan 430015 Wuhan Intellectual Property Rights Bureau
Tel: 86-27-8580-1913 Wuhan Information Industries Bureau www.whipb.gov.cn
Fax: 86-27-8572-1652 www.whbii.gov.cn Director: Dong Hongwei
Director: Huang Jiaxi 12th Floor, Science and Technology Mansion
Wuhan Commerce Bureau—Wuhan Foreign 157 Yanjiang Dadao, Jiang’an Qu 164 Fazhan Dadao, Jianghan Qu
Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau Wuhan 430014 Wuhan 430023
www.comewuhan.com Tel: 86-27-8282-7772 Tel: 86-27-6569-2009
Director: Lin Xiaobin
16th Floor, Gang Ao Center
118 Jianghan Lu, Jiang’an Qu
Wuhan 430014
Tel: 86-27-8275-0135