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Beijing
Economy
As the nation’s capital and political
center, the particular economic role of
Beijing has been a topic of considerable
debate and controversy. The Communist
government has designated Beijing as an
appropriate center for industrial, commercial,
transportation, trade, cultural, and scientific
development. However, these multiple roles
have sometimes conflicted with one another.
Beijing industry |
Extremely rapid industrial development,
for example, occurs at the expense of
preserving some of Beijing’s historical
and cultural landmarks.
Nevertheless, Beijing has become the
second largest industrial center in China
after Shanghai. The industrial growth
extends to outlying towns in the municipality’s
rural areas; there are now major factories
in Shijingshan (a major iron and steel
mill), Tongxian (motor vehicles), Fengtai
(machinery), and Fangshan (petrochemicals).
In the early 1990s more than 2.1 million
workers were employed in industry in Beijing.
Processed foods, textiles, paints, paper,
high-quality lubricants, and electronic
products are now produced in Beijing.
Construction activity has also increased
rapidly. New buildings, factories, and
improvements to the infrastructure are
widespread. In the early 1990s there were
about 684,000 construction workers employed
in Beijing.
Employment in agriculture, about 900,000
in the early 1990s, has remained relatively
unchanged since the 1980s. Major farm
products include grains, cabbages, tomatoes,
eggplants, carrots, onions, milk, eggs,
poultry, and pork.
Commercial and service activities have
grown rapidly in recent years and in the
early 1990s employed more than 1 million
workers. The city is a major hub for shopping,
retailing, and trade, and international
products and brands are now commonplace.
Since the 1980s joint ventures with foreign
companies have become common, and the
local economy not only includes enterprises
owned by the state and collective units,
but also many privately owned companies
and self-employed individuals.
Beijing transportation |
Beijing is one of China’s main
centers of transportation and trade. A
major expressway was recently completed
to Tianjin, an important port city about
90 km (55 mi) to the southeast. Beijing
is the hub of a national network of major
highways. Railway lines radiate to all
parts of the country, and some connect
to North Korea, Russia, and Mongolia.
Within the city there are new roads and
expressways. Opened in 1969, the Beijing
subway continues to expand and is one
of China’s noteworthy efforts at
mass transit. Despite new road construction,
traffic has become increasingly congested
as more cars become available. Most people
still travel short distances on bicycles,
and these contribute to the clogged streets.
Beijing’s international airport,
located 26 km (15 mi) northeast of the
city, has extensive domestic service to
most of the larger cities in China and
is also served by several international
carriers with direct service to North
America, Europe, and other parts of Asia.
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