Backgrounder: Brief introduction of Fuzhou

Located in the lower reaches of the Min River, Fuzhou City is situated in the eastern part of Fujian Province. Fuzhou is named after a mountain in the north of the city called "Mount Fu". And it is also the economic, political, cultural and transportation center of the entire province.

Fuzhou is also known by another name - Rong Cheng, which means the Banyan City. Many banyan trees were planted here as early as the Song Dynasty. They now provide the city with a unique touch of green.

Fuzhou is also known for its hot springs and much has been done to attract international tourism including high-end hotels and golf courses.

Fuzhou is a city full of culture with a history dating back two-thousand years that has left a legacy of many arts-related industries, including lacquer work, stone sculpting and cork cutting. And traditional arts such as Min Opera also play an important role in China's culture.

Many achievements have been made here in fields including technology, education and the military industry. The Fuzhou Navy Yard was established in the nineteenth century and a naval academy was also opened. The city's role in the development of maritime culture in modern China has earned it the title of "cradle of the modern Chinese navy".

Over the past half a century or so, Fuzhou's economy has prospered. Entrepreneurship has flourished industries and companies were established in Fuzhou and many leading domestic and international companies are also represented here. The local government aims to take advantage of Fuzhou's geographical advantages and utilize its economic infrastructure to make it a manufacturing base on the west bank of the Taiwan Straits.