A Geographer’s guide to Heilongjiang Provinceincluding Harbin by Heather Trim

Overview ofHeilongjiang Province

Heilongjiang is the most northern province in China and has an area of more than 460,000square kilometres. It borders the provinces of Inner Mongolia to the west, Jilin to the southand Russia on the northeast. "Heilongjiang" literally means Black Dragon River, which is theChinese name for the River Amur.

Historically it was one of the main gateways from China to Russian and Europe.

Map of location within China

Province Map

Physical geography

Relief

http://www.maphill.com/china/h

eilongjiang/3d-maps/physical-map/cropped-outside/

The province of Heilongjiang occupies about half of the huge Northeast (Manchurian) Plain,surrounded on three sides by old mountain ranges of medium elevation. Plain makes up 30%with remaining 70% as mountains.

Its central part is the low lying plain of the Sungari (Songhua) and Nen (Nonni) rivers,tributaries of the Amur (Heilong). Sanjiang Plain formed of alluvium from the rivers is thelargest marsh/wetland region and the most productive arable land in China.

The plain is surrounded by relatively low mountain ranges exceeding 1,000 metres only in

the southeastern and northwest:

Da Hinggan (Greater Khingan) Range of Inner Mongolia on the west are composed

mainly of igneous rocks resistant to erosion and weathering and contains China's

largest remaining virgin forest of larch, birch, aspen, and pine. The mountains form

an important climatic divide. They take most of the precipitation from the

southeasterly winds and produce a comparatively wet climate (precipitation

exceeds500 mm pa) that contrasts sharply with the arid region to the

west.

Xiao Hinggan (Lesser Khingan) Range on the north. The structure of the Xiao

Hinggan Range is more complex. Its northern part is composed of granite, volcanic

basalt, and other metamorphic rocks. The average elevation is about 700 metres; the

granite peaks near Yichunrise to 1,150 metres. The western slope facing the Nen

River is gentle, while the eastern slope is steep. The southern end of the Xiao

Hinggan is composed of archlike, folded, stratified rock.

Zhangguangcai and Laoye ranges on the east.

Drainage

The Amur is the longest river in the province forming the border with Russia. It is ice boundfrom November to May. The Amur’s chief tributary, the Sungari River, is the mainwaterway of the province. The low altitude of the plain means many meanders withextensive ox bow lakes.

The Ussuri River forms the Sino-Russian boundary on the east. It is a broad, slow-movingriver and has a tributary linking it with Lake Khanka (Xingkai Hu), the largest freshwater lakein East Asia.

Climate

Predominantly humid continental climate with long and bitter winters (−31 to −15 °C inJanuary)lasting six to eight months and short, warm summers (18 to 23 °C in July). Theannual average rainfall is 400 to 700 mm, predominantly in summer. Areas in the far northare subarctic.

Soil

Humus-rich, highly fertile black soils (Chernozems) are found in the Sungari-Nenriver plain.Eastern part has the best soils, yielding crops for years without fertilization so form the mainagricultural region.

In the Xiao Hingganmountains, soils change with elevation. Chernozems dominate thefoothills with mountain brown forest soils higher up. Still higher the cold, wet soils arepodzolized so are of low fertility, and their cultivation causes erosion.

Population

The majority of Heilongjiang's population is Han Chinese.

Ethnic groups in Heilongjiang (2000 census)Nationality Population PercentageHan Chinese 34,465,039 95.20%

Manchu 1,037,080 2.86%

Koreans 388,458 1.07%Mongol 141,495 0.39%

Hui 124,003 0.34%Daur 43,608 0.12%Xibe 8,886 0.03%

According to ADB reports on Songhua River basin, nearly half of the very poor in the rural areasbelong to ethnic minorities. Many of these minorities have not benefitted from rising standards ofliving and live below or close to the poverty line because of the remoteness of villages, poor naturalconditions, low education, lack of marketable skills, and poor access to markets and social services.

History Summary

Heilongjiang was sparsely inhabited by hunters and fishermen. During the 17th century the

region became a zone of competition between Russia and China. The region remained

sparsely settled because access was difficult before railroads were built there, and it was

therefore highly vulnerable to Russian and Japanese expansion during the 19th century.

The Russians occupied Heilongjiang from 1900 to 1905. After the Russian Revolution of

1917 the Bolsheviks renounced special privileges in northern Manchuria as a friendly gesture

toward China. Heilongjiang remained under Chinese control until Japan invaded Manchuria

in September 1931. It then became a part of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo

(Manzhouguo; 1932–45).

On Aug. 15, 1945, Soviet troops entered Manchuria, but they evacuated it later to make

way for Chinese communist troops. After the Sino-Soviet rift in 1960, there were several

armed clashes along the international border. The border dispute remained unresolved until

2005. Meanwhile, Heilongjiang underwent dramatic and sustained growth that transformed

it into one of China’s major economic regions.

Economy

Economic Data of Heilongjiang Province in 2012

Area 454,800 sq.km

Population 38.34 million (2011 Data)

Main CitiesHarbin, Qiqihaer, Hegang, Shuangyashan,Jixi, Daqing, Yichun, Mudanjiang, Jiamusi,Qitaihe, Heihe, Suihua, Daxinganling

GDP 1369.16 billion RMBGrowth of 12.7%

Main IndustryAnimal husbandry and fishery, Green food,machinery , Petrochemical, Energy, Foodindustry

FDI 3.9 billion, Growth of 10.8%

Main Export Commodities

Fresh food, Water seafood, Processed food,Textile, Leather products, Wood productsand Paper, Minerals, Cement, Steel,Mechanical and Electrical products, High-techproducts, Refined oil

Main Import Commodities Fresh food, Mineral products, Paper, Crudeoil, Plastic products

Export Amount of Goods 14.44 billion, Decline of 18.3%

Import Amount of Goods 23.39 billion, Growth of 12.2%

Number of Visitors Domestic and foreign tourists: 253.82 m24.2% increase from the previous year

Resources and power

Heilongjiang has significant reserves of several minerals, notably petroleum, coal, gold, and

graphite. During the 1950s emphasis was placed on the development of coal mining. The

Daqing oil field began operation in 1960 and is China’s major inland field but production has

declined every year since 2000.

The province also has vast commercially exploitable forest resources, with pines

constituting the most valuable timber species.

Energy production was also a major focus in Heilongjiang from the 1950s, and the

generation of electric power has become a major component of the province’s economy.

Numerous hydroelectric stations have been built, as well as thermal-generating plants.Great

potential for wind power, with an average wind energy density of 200 watts m2.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing

Since 1949 large tracts of low-lying alluvial land have been reclaimed between the Sungari

and Ussuri rivers with large-scale state farms established.

Crops cultivated include: soybeans, maize, wheat, rice, millet, sorghum and industrial crops

including sugar beet,flax and sunflowers. Cultivation is highly mechanized but limited use of

irrigation or chemical fertilizers.

A major dairy area.

Raw timber is a major product and the Sungari River is a major freshwater fishery that

produces salmon and sturgeon, including beluga sturgeon (Husohuso).

Manufacturing

Heilongjiang is one of China’s major manufacturing regions, producing motor vehicles,

generators, agricultural machinery, locomotives, building materials, flax fabrics, beet sugar,

dairy products, and beverages. Much of Heilongjiang’s industry is based on the exploitation

of its rich mineral resources; for example, its petrochemical industry uses a large part of the

petroleum produced there.

As the Daqing oil fields are depleting and oil production has been dropping every year since

2000, there is a pressing need for a new economic growth engine. At present, many

investments are being made in large construction projects, water conservation, and airport

expansion within Heilongjiang. Additionally, emerging industries such as equipment

manufacturing, energy, petrochemicals, textiles and food processing are being planned.

Major Cities

Economic profile of major cities

Links Population(2013Data)

Summary

Harbin 9.95 million Equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals,food processing and petrochemicals.

Jiamusi 2.42m Military and air base during the Japaneseoccupation (1931–45). Electricity productionand supply, construction materials, chemicalsand agricultural products processing are thepillar industries in the city. Major industrialproducts in the city include cement, edible oils,fertilizer and feed. The industrial sector in

Jiamusi is relatively weak compared with othercities in Heilongjiang such as Harbin andDaqing. The Jiamusi paper mill is one of thelargest in China.

Shuangyashan 1.5m Metal and food processing, production oflumber and construction materials, coal miningand dressing, steel and iron, and electricity.

Qiqihar (Tsitsihar), 5.59m Qiqihar (Tsitsihar), the second largest city andformer capital of the province. Qiqihar is partof Harbin Daqing Qiqihar Industrial Corridor,which will become a comprehensive industrialbase with a focus on petrochemicals, energy,autos, electronics, medicine and food by 2020.The corridor is expected to boostHeilongjiang's foreign trade and accelerate theprovince's economic development. In 2012,the corridor has industrial output of RMB17.83 billion.

Daqing 2.82 m Being the most important petrochemical basein China, Daqing has established five pillarindustries, including extraction of petroleumand natural gas, petrochemicals, agriculturalproduct processing, building materials andequipment manufacturing.

Profile of Harbin

Its name is originally a Manchurian word, meaning “a place for drying fishing nets”.

Harbin, the largest city and capital of the province, grew in 1898 as a construction base for

the Chinese Eastern Railway across northern Manchuria. It soon became the region’s major

transportation hub and communications centre, with direct rail links to the Russian railroad

network and to the Sea of Japan (East Sea).

By the 1950s the Harbin area had become one of China’s primary industrial development

centres, with an emphasis on heavy industry.

Major Economic Indicators (2013)

Land Area (km2) 53,796 (Ranking)

Population(million) 9.95 (Ranking)

GDP (RMB billion) 501.08 (Ranking)

GDP Composition

Primary Industry (Agriculture) 11.8%

Secondary Industry(Industry & Construction)

34.8%

Tertiary Industry (Service) 53.4%

Actually Utilized FDI (USD million) 2,260 (Ranking)

Sales of Social Consumer Goods (RMBbillion)

272.83 (Ranking)

Source: Harbin Economic and Social Development Report 2013

Economic Features

Main industries: equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing andpetrochemicals.

Service industry based on retail and tourism has seen stable growth in recent years.(53.4% of the city’s GDP). In 2013, sales of consumer goods of the city rose 13.9%to RMB 272.83 billion. In 2013, more than 55.48 million tourists have visited thecity, while the tourism income amounted to RMB 66.85 billion.

Harbin is one of the major destinations of FDI in Heilongjiang. In 2013 the city’sutilized FDI amounted to US$2.26 billion, increased 19.7% year on year. The foreigninvestments focus on electronics, food, chemicals, the light industry, energy and realestate.

State Development Zones

NameArea(km²)

Pillar Industries

GDP in2010(RMBbillion)

Harbin Economic &TechnologicalDevelopment Zone

10.0Automobiles and auto parts, medicine,food, electronics, textiles

22.7

Harbin Hi-tech IndustrialDevelopment Zone

23.7Optical-mechanical-electricalintegration, biology, medicine,electronics and information technology

N.A.

Environmental issues

1. International Management of River Basins: R. Amur

Cultural Highlights

Harbin was strongly influenced by Russian culture. More than 160,000 foreignersfrom 33 countries migrated to Harbin, promoting the development of a capitalisteconomy in the city. As a result, Harbin gradually grew into a famous internationalcommercial port, and its cityscape was shaped by the mixed people and culture. It isfamous for its Russian and European architecture.

Due to its long and cold winter, Harbin is also well-known for its winter culture.The “Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival” held since 1985 is one of theworld’s four largest ice and snow festivalsand includes winter activities such asYabuli Alpine Skiing, winter-swimming in Songhua River, and the ice- lanternexhibition in Zhaolin Garden. Link:http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/198585.htm

Links: http://www.chinaknowledge.com/CityInfo/City.aspx?Region=NorthEast&City=Harbin

Amur-Heilong River basin exemplifies transboundary regions in need of sharedenvironmental responsibility. Cultural traditions and the pace of economic development areradically different in China, Mongolia and Russia butsustainable development requirescooperation in the field of environmental protection and nature resource management

Link: http://amur-heilong.net/http/fullindex.html

2. Air PollutionCase study: 2013 Harbin smog: “China smog emergency shuts city of 11 million people”Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/21/us-china-smog-idUSBRE99K02Z20131021

People ride along a street on a smoggy day in Daqing, Heilongjiang province, October 21, 2013.

3. Sanjiang Plain Wetlands Protection

The Plain is one of the most important grain production areas. Supporting rich biologicaldiversity, which includes 23 species listed in the World Conservation Union as globallythreatened, the wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain are some of the most species-rich andendemic-rich ecosystems in Asia. However, the wetlands and forestlands have shrunk toone fifth of their original size in the last five decades because of increasing population andgrain production, and flora and fauna in the wetland nature reserves (NRs) are threatenedby farmland encroachment and water resource exploitation.

Link: http://www.adb.org/projects/35289-013/details

4. Graphite Rain 2014

Graphite production in Heilongjiang province is under the spotlight following pollutioncomplaints which could lead to restrictions in the world's leading producing region.

Link: http://www.indmin.com/Article/3298690/Graphite-pollution-fears-spread-to-Heilongjiang-China.html

Tourism Resources

As one of the “national ecological model provinces”, Heilongjiang has 9 national naturereserves, 16 provincial nature reserves and 37 national forestry parks providing resources fordeveloping eco-tourism.

Resources for ice and snow activities are the best in China. Snow-skiing period in theprovince lasts 120-140 days in a year.100 locations chosen for building large-scale skiinggrounds.

Unique history left a rich cultural legacy and customs. The Bohai State during the TangDynasty, the ruins of the Jin-dynasty capital in Huining and the ruins of Longquan Mansionare among those of historical interest.

The crossing-border tours to Russia launched on the border rivers of Heilong and Wusuliattract tourists from all over the country. Such cities as Harbin, Daqing and Yichun attracttourists with their distinctive style of northern frontier cities. In addition, there are the Zooof Northeast China Tigers, the Reserve of Red-Crowned Cranes, the site for admiring thenorthern lights, the forest at a crate, and a number of large-scale enterprises of mining,farming and oilfields open to tourists.

Unit 731 (in the village of Pingfan, 16 miles south of Harbin) was a germ warfare facility,where the Japanese conducted human experiments during World War II. Between 3,000and 12,000 prisoners are believed to have died from these experiments. No survivors havebeen located.

Recent articles

June 2014:Coke builds new green plant in Heilongjiang

Link: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/business/consumer/Coke-builds-new-green-plant-in-Heilongjiang/shdaily.shtml

June 2014: “Virtual Water” Accounting Tracks China’s Supply

Link: http://www.asianscientist.com/in-the-lab/virtual-water-accounting-tracks-chinas-supply-2014/

Heather Trim

13/7/2014