REGIONAL> Development
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REGIONAL> Development
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Resource-rich city beckons investors from home and abroad
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-06-07 08:25
With rich resources in minerals, energy, flora and tourism resources, Baise in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region is beckoning investors from home and abroad. Minerals The city has discovered 57 kinds of minerals. Among them, the reserves of aluminum, copper, crystal and brown coal top all Guangxi. Rich deposits of aluminum, featuring huge reserves, good quality and easy to extract, have attracted modern industrial players. Now local authorities are revving up to build the city into a top aluminum base in Asia. Baise's output of aluminum oxide, electrolytic aluminum and processed aluminum products are projected to reach 5, 1.5 and 1.2 million tons in 2010 respectively, according to the city's industrial development plan. Water energy One third of Baise's land is karst limestone that holds vast underground water- some 4.1 billion cubic meters. Sharp drops in height resulting from mountain terrain allows for enormous water energy. Water energy resources are estimated to exceed 5 million kWh, with 80 percent developed or planned for development. With the vast water energy resources, the city is designated as one of the key supply sites for the west-to-east energy project. Eco-agriculture Without freezing in winter and free from typhoons in summer, Youjiang River valley in Baise is seen as one of China's three best regions for its semitropical monsoon climate. The other two are Hainan province and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan province. Called a natural greenhouse because of its agriculturally friendly climate, Baise grows a range of fruits and vegetables, especially mangoes. With more than 90,000 hectares of farming area, the city produces 1.56 million tons of vegetables annually. Fruit farming covers more than 130,000 hectares and produces 343,600 tons annually. The central government designated Baise as a key center for cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on agricultural technology. The city government is now attracting investment in processing, warehousing and distribution of farm products. |
