Vital Statistics (2006)
GDP: RMB 259 billion
GDP per Capita: RMB29, 890
Economic Growth Rate: 14.8%
Population: 5.03 million (urban) – 3.16 million (rural)
FDI (2006): US$2.0 billion
Annual Average Wage: RMB19, 759
Government Effectiveness Rating: 73rd
2006 Chinese Cities Competitive Rating: 28th
Economic Overview
Wuhan, a National Historic City, is the capital of Hubei Province, also affectionately dubbed the "city on rivers" and is the largest city in central China. The mighty Yangtze River, the third longest river in the world, intersects its largest branch, the Hanshui River at Wuhan and divides the city into three distinct areas called Hankou, Hanyang, and Wuchang.
From the late 1990's on, Wuhan has enjoyed double-digit annual economic growth; an incredible record lasting 16 consecutive years, with no sign of abatement. The city was proclaimed to be the "Chinese economic and geographical center" by a panel of national economists because it sits smack-dab in the center of and almost exactly 1000 km distant from each of the four largest cities in the country and consistently ranks among the top cities in China in terms of competitive advantages and quality of life.
In 2006, Wuhan's GDP reached 259 billion RMB, accounting for 35% of the GDP in the Province of Hubei and ranking 16th among all cities nationwide. GDP per capita sits at 29,890 RMB, roughly equal to US$3,790. In 2006, total fixed capital investment reached 132.53 billion RMB, up by 26.1% over the previous year.
Economic Contribution Ratios by Sector
In 2006, the economic contribution ratio to GDP of the primary industries including agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and the fisheries was 4.5%; the contribution ratio of the secondary industries including manufacturing and the value added sector was 46.1% and that of the tertiary and service industries was 49.4%.
Wuhan's GDP Composition (%)
Sector |
1990 |
1998 |
2006 |
Primary |
10 |
7.9 |
4.5 |
Secondary |
48.6 |
44.7 |
46.1 |
Tertiary |
41.4 |
47.4 |
49.4 |
Foreign Trade Overview
Wuhan's total import/export volume was US$8.01 billion in 2006, with total exports up by 48.7% to US$3.78 billion and import volume up by 16.1% to US$4.26 billion. Electromechanical and hi-tech products led the surge in exports, up by 101.9% to US$1.92 billion and 108.5% to US$0.861 billion respectively. Export volume of state-owned enterprises was US$2.03 billion and that of privately run enterprises and enterprises with foreign investment US$1.744 billion. Wuhan's 10 major export markets are the US, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Taiwan, the UK, Italy and Spain.
Export Volume Comparison Chart 2006
City |
Export volume (billion USD) |
Ranking |
increase(%) |
Ranking |
Shenyang |
2.66 |
12 |
1.34 |
12 |
Dalian |
17.26 |
8 |
2.54 |
7 |
Changchun |
1.09 |
15 |
-1.41 |
15 |
Harbin |
1.33 |
14 |
0.82 |
13 |
Nanjing |
17.37 |
7 |
2.19 |
8 |
Hangzhou |
26.23 |
4 |
3.24 |
5 |
Ningbo |
28.77 |
3 |
2.94 |
6 |
Xiamen |
20.51 |
6 |
1.88 |
11 |
Jinan |
2.44 |
13 |
3.72 |
3 |
Qingdao |
23.47 |
5 |
2.08 |
10 |
Wuhan |
3.78 |
10 |
4.87 |
2 |
Guangzhou |
32.38 |
2 |
2.14 |
9 |
Shenzhen |
136.11 |
1 |
3.41 |
4 |
Chengdu |
4.14 |
9 |
5.46 |
1 |
Xi'an |
2.73 |
11 |
0.36 |
14 |
Foreign Trade and Cultural Ties
The French Consulate General in Wuhan is the only foreign consulate in the city; however, by the end of 2006, Wuhan had built sister-city relationships with 14 cities in 14 countries around the globe. The city also regularly hosts distinguished foreign guests or delegations, foreign journalists and overseas Chinese for discussions, forums and mutual exchanges. For example, in November 2006, the city held the "2006 Wuhan-European SME Fair", which focused on economic cooperation between Wuhan and Europe.
Wuhan's Sister Cities
Country |
City |
Date Established |
Japan |
Oita |
1979.09.07. |
The United States |
Pittsburgh |
1982.09.08. |
Germany |
Duisburg |
1982.10.08. |
United Kingdom |
Manchester |
1986.09.16. |
Romania |
Galati |
1987.08.12. |
Ukraine |
Kiev |
1990.10.19. |
Sudan |
Khartoum |
1995.09.27. |
Hungary |
Gyor |
1995.10.19. |
France |
Bordeaux |
1998.06.18. |
The Netherlands |
Arnhem |
1999.06. |
R. O. Korea |
Cheongju |
2000.10.29. |
Sterreich |
St.Polten |
2005.12.20. |
New Zealand |
Christchurch |
2006.04.04 |
Canada |
Markham |
2006.09.12 |
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