Throughout its entire existence up to the middle of the previous century, China had been a semifeudal country with backward industry and weak economy. China’s industrial development lagged 100-150 years behind that of developed countries, basically playing an agricultural products and raw materials exporting role. However, after proclamation of People’s Republic of China in 1949, industrialization of the country was carried out in a brief period of time, promoting rapid industrial growth.
In 1946, the share of industry in China made 10% of national income. In 1949, the country was on 9th place in the world in coal production, 23rd in cast iron production, 26th in steel production, and 25th in power generation.
However, economical growth of China was essentially slow for some three decades. Only in the late 70-s, a turning point in the development tendencies took place, and China began reducing its backwardness with an enormous speed. Many people were unaware of its immense potential of industrial development triggered by economic reforms.
In the last 50 years, more than 370 thousand new industrial enterprises have been built in China. Today, volume of production of Chinese factories and plants makes 2,1 billion yuans per year. Coal production makes 2,3 million tons, oil extraction – 360 thousand tons, steel production – 140 thousand tons, cement – 455 thousand tons.
Today, the industry of P.R.C. is represented by 360 branches. China is first in the world for total number of factories and plants. Pharmaceutical, automotive and metallurgical industries are actively growing. Such modern branches were created as electronics, petrochemistry, aircraft building, metallurgy of rare and trace metals.
Major part of Chinese factories and plants is situated in industrial centers, concentrated in eastern seaside provinces and regions of Jiangsu, Shanghai, Liaoning, Shandong, Guangdong, and Zhenjim.
Share of the oil extracting industry in China makes 21% of fuel-energy resources production. Oil provides for about 16% of currency proceeds from export. More than 32 oil extracting enterprises are operating in the country, whereas general oil resources make 64 billion tons. Major petrochemical plants of China are located in provinces Heilongjiang, Shandong, Dagan, Uymeng, Tsaidam, and also in backward districts, which is often far from oil consuming centers. Major part of 580 petrochemical plants is concentrated in the northeastern China.
Southern and eastern territories of China are rich in natural gas, the resources hereof are estimated at 4 billion tons: only 3,5% are prospected at the moment. The biggest gas extraction and processing center is in Senhua province.
In ferrous metallurgy of China, cast iron production is traditionally prevailing over steel production. Cast iron surplus is used in production of agricultural tools, domestic appliances, castings, and partially exported. At the same time, China is forced to make up deficiency in many rolled metal types and special steels at the expense of import.