TNAG-2527-FCO40-3696-Hong-Kong-China-Relations-Committee-1992 — Page 73

Commission.

- 18

30.

Administratively Foshan is a city at the prefectural level. Foshan is an

ancient city, situated some 20 km south-west of Guangzhou. The Prefecture has under

its administration four counties and two districts, namely, Shunde County, Nanhai

County, Sanshui County, Gaoming County, the City Proper and Shiwan District. It

has a total area of about 3815 sq km with a population of 2.8 million. The City

Proper has an area of 23 sq km and a population of 365 700 persons.

31.

Historically, Foshan has been an important collection and distribution

centre of merchandise in South China. During the past decade of reform and open

door policy, the economy of Foshan has been developing rapidly (Table 1), and this

has also resulted in rapid urbanization and thriving rural development.

Table 1 Total Industrial and Agricultural Output of Foshan

in Selected Years

1978

1988

1990

1991

Total industrial and

agricultural output (1980 2.56

9.20

21.9

30

fixed price) in Billion

(estimated)

RMB

32.

Since the introduction of the reform and open door policy in 1978, Foshan