A Geographer’s guide to Heilongjiang Province including Harbin by Heather Trim

Overview ofHeilongjiang Province

Heilongjiang is the most northern province in China and has an area of more than 460,000 square kilometres. It borders the provinces of Inner Mongolia to the west, Jilin to the south and Russia on the northeast. "Heilongjiang" literally means Black Dragon River, which is the Chinese 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 the largest 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 bound from November to May. The Amur’s chief tributary, the Sungari River, is the main waterway of the province. The low altitude of the plain means many meanders with extensive ox bow lakes.

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

Climate

Predominantly humid continental climate with long and bitter winters (−31 to −15 °C in January)lasting six to eight months and short, warm summers (18 to 23 °C in July). The annual average rainfall is 400 to 700 mm, predominantly in summer. Areas in the far north are 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 main agricultural region.

In the Xiao Hingganmountains, soils change with elevation. Chernozems dominate the foothills with mountain brown forest soils higher up. Still higher the cold, wet soils are podzolized 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 Percentage Han 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 areas belong to ethnic minorities. Many of these minorities have not benefitted from rising standards of living and live below or close to the poverty line because of the remoteness of villages, poor natural conditions, 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) Harbin, Qiqihaer, Hegang, Shuangyashan, Main Cities Jixi, Daqing, Yichun, Mudanjiang, Jiamusi, Qitaihe, Heihe, Suihua, Daxinganling 1369.16 billion RMB GDP Growth of 12.7% Animal husbandry and fishery, Green food, Main Industry machinery , Petrochemical, Energy, Food industry FDI 3.9 billion, Growth of 10.8% Fresh food, Water seafood, Processed food, Textile, Leather products, Wood products Main Export Commodities and Paper, Minerals, Cement, Steel, Mechanical and Electrical products, High-tech products, Refined oil Fresh food, Mineral products, Paper, Crude Main Import Commodities oil, Plastic products Export Amount of Goods 14.44 billion, Decline of 18.3% Import Amount of Goods 23.39 billion, Growth of 12.2% Domestic and foreign tourists: 253.82 m Number of Visitors 24.2% 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(2013 Summary Data) Harbin 9.95 million Equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing and petrochemicals. Jiamusi 2.42m Military and air base during the Japanese occupation (1931–45). Electricity production and supply, construction materials, chemicals and agricultural products processing are the pillar industries in the city. Major industrial products in the city include cement, edible oils, fertilizer and feed. The industrial sector in Jiamusi is relatively weak compared with other cities in Heilongjiang such as Harbin and Daqing. The Jiamusi paper mill is one of the largest in China. Shuangyashan 1.5m Metal and food processing, production of lumber and construction materials, coal mining and dressing, steel and iron, and electricity. Qiqihar (Tsitsihar), 5.59m Qiqihar (Tsitsihar), the second largest city and former capital of the province. Qiqihar is part of Harbin Daqing Qiqihar Industrial Corridor, which will become a comprehensive industrial base with a focus on petrochemicals, energy, autos, electronics, medicine and food by 2020. The corridor is expected to boost Heilongjiang's foreign trade and accelerate the province's economic development. In 2012, the corridor has industrial output of RMB 17.83 billion.

Daqing 2.82 m Being the most important petrochemical base in China, Daqing has established five pillar industries, including extraction of petroleum and natural gas, petrochemicals, agricultural product processing, building materials and equipment 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 34.8% (Industry & Construction)

Tertiary Industry (Service) 53.4%

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

Sales of Social Consumer Goods (RMB 272.83 (Ranking) billion)

Source: Harbin Economic and Social Development Report 2013

Economic Features

Main industries: equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing and petrochemicals.

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 the city, 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’s utilized FDI amounted to US$2.26 billion, increased 19.7% year on year. The foreign investments focus on electronics, food, chemicals, the light industry, energy and real estate.

State Development Zones

GDP in Area 2010 Name Pillar Industries (km²) (RMB billion)

Harbin Economic & Automobiles and auto parts, medicine, Technological 10.0 22.7 food, electronics, textiles Development Zone

Optical-mechanical-electrical Harbin Hi-tech Industrial 23.7 integration, biology, medicine, N.A. Development Zone electronics and information technology Cultural Highlights

Harbin was strongly influenced by Russian culture. More than 160,000 foreigners from 33 countries migrated to Harbin, promoting the development of a capitalist economy in the city. As a result, Harbin gradually grew into a famous international commercial port, and its cityscape was shaped by the mixed people and culture. It is famous 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 the world’s four largest ice and snow festivalsand includes winter activities such as Yabuli Alpine Skiing, winter-swimming in Songhua River, and the ice- lantern exhibition 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

Environmental issues

1. International Management of River Basins: R. Amur Amur-Heilong River basin exemplifies transboundary regions in need of shared environmental responsibility. Cultural traditions and the pace of economic development are radically different in China, Mongolia and Russia butsustainable development requires cooperation in the field of environmental protection and nature resource management

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

2. Air Pollution Case 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 biological diversity, which includes 23 species listed in the World Conservation Union as globally threatened, the wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain are some of the most species-rich and endemic-rich ecosystems in Asia. However, the wetlands and forestlands have shrunk to one fifth of their original size in the last five decades because of increasing population and grain production, and flora and fauna in the wetland nature reserves (NRs) are threatened by 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 pollution complaints 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 nature reserves, 16 provincial nature reserves and 37 national forestry parks providing resources for developing eco-tourism.

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

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

The crossing-border tours to Russia launched on the border rivers of Heilong and Wusuli attract tourists from all over the country. Such cities as Harbin, Daqing and Yichun attract tourists with their distinctive style of northern frontier cities. In addition, there are the Zoo of Northeast China Tigers, the Reserve of Red-Crowned Cranes, the site for admiring the northern 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 3,000 and 12,000 prisoners are believed to have died from these experiments. No survivors have been 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