Situated in the middle of China, Shanxi has a total area of 156,700 square kilometers and a total population of about 37 million. Shanxi consists of 11 directly-managed cities and 117 county-level administrative bodies. Taihang Mountains and Lvliang Mountains stand in the east and in the west, respectively. The Yellow River surges in the south, and the Great Wall stretches in the north. Therefore, Shanxi is always famous for strategic location and difficulty in access. As it largely stands to the west of Taihang Mountains and to the east of the Yellow River, “Shanxi” is hence named after. In the ancient times, it was called as “Hedong”. From 770 BC to 476 BC, it was within jurisdiction of Jin State. For this reason, Shanxi is also referred to as “Jin” nowadays. In 403 BC, Han Family, Zhao Family and Wei Family carved up Jin State. Shanxi is also known as “Sanjin”.

Shanxi is an important new-type energy and industrial base in China. Available resource reserve of coal totals over 270 billion tons, proven geological reserve of coalbed methane totals nearly 580 billion cubic meters, and available resource reserves of bauxite, refractory clay and magnesium ore respectively rank first in China. Advanced production capacity of coal accounts for 57%. Coalbed methane production volume exceeds 5.6 billion cubic meters. Installed capacity of power is about 85 million kilowatts, in which installed capacity of new energy power generation represents a share of over 30%. The strategic emerging industries, such as high-end equipment manufacturing, new-generation information technology and new energy vehicle, maintain the double-digit rapid growth momentum.

Shanxi not only retains the most complete imprint of the Chinese Civilization for 5,000 years, but also gives birth to the brilliant Chinese Civilization. A galaxy of historical and cultural celebrities spring up. Countless ancient buildings and remains are dotted everywhere. Shanxi is home to six national-level famous historical and cultural cities, 30 national-level famous historical and cultural towns and villages, more than 31,000 above-ground cultural relics and historical sites and 452 key cultural relics under national-level protection, ranking first in China. 120 above-ground wooden structures built prior to the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the Liao Dynasty (907-1125) and the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), accounting for over 70% of the national total. Therefore, Shanxi is crowned as “Museum of Chinese Ancient Architecture Art”. Mount Wutai, Ancient City of Pingyao and Yungang Grottoes are three world cultural heritages known to all. A variety of folk cultures gain popularity in Shanxi. Jin Opera, Paper Cutting, Woodblock Painting, Dough Sculpture and Lacquer Ware are all representative cultural symbols for Shanxi. Pingyao International Photography Festival is well-known at home and abroad.

Shanxi continuously makes greater efforts for environmental protection and ecological protection and restoration. Pace for ecological restoration of “Two Mountains and Seven Rivers” is quickened. Groundwater level continues to rebound in the whole province. Treatment of Fenhe River (Urban Area Section in Taiyuan City) wins UN-HABITAT “International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment”. Taiyuan is the first to achieve entire coverage of electric taxi in the world. In Shanxi, afforestation coverage totals over 4 million mu every year. Biodiversity is protected, while the population quantity of wild animals witnesses restorative growth. In the whole province, white swans dance trippingly. Adjacent to Mu Us Desert, Youyu County spares no effort for sand control and afforestation for 70 year, and its forest coverage increases from less than 0.3% to more than 54%. Youyu County really takes a face-lifting from barren land to oasis.

Shanxi features distinct four seasons and pleasant climate. The average summer temperature is below 26°C. Shanxi is reputed as “Paradise of Chinese Cooked Wheaten Food”. There are more than 400 methods for making cooked wheaten food. Shanxi is reputed as “China’s Coarse Cereals Production Base”. More than 120 kinds of coarse cereals under seven categories are produced here, and all of them are wholesome and helpful to keep good health. Shanxi is the main production area of Chinese herbal medicines, where 1,788 kinds of traditional Chinese medicinal medicines and 39 kinds of geo-authentic crude medicines are found. Shanxi is rich in top liquors and fine wines. Fen Liquor is one of “Eight Famous Liquors in China”. Mature Vinegar ranks first among “Four Famous Vinegars in China”.

Shanxi is open to the outside world in an all-round manner. As China’s first largest joint venture cooperation project, Pingshuo Antaibu Open-Pit Coal Mine was also launched in Shanxi. Block trains from Shanxi to Europe (Central Asia) are under regular operation. Wusu Comprehensive Bonded Zone, Air Port in Taiyuan Wusu International Airport and Railway Port in Zhongding Logistics Park (central part of Shanxi), Datong International Inland Port (northern part of Shanxi), Fanglue Bonded Logistics Center and Lanhua Bonded Logistics Center (southern part of Shanxi) are emerging as the bridgeheads for Shanxi to launch opening-up in an all-round way. Shanxi boasts accessible transportation to every corner of the world. Taiyuan Wusu International Airport has annual passenger throughput of more than 13 million passengers. High-speed rail lines (open to traffic and construction in progress) exceed 1,100 kilometers. Expressways in service total over 5,000 kilometers.

Shanxi makes constant efforts to expand “Circle of Friends”. Its sister cities and international partners are all over the world. Foreign economic and trade exchanges and people-to-people cooperation are making progress. Shanxi is willing to treat each other with sincerity, sincerely form the close ties, enhance exchanges, made progress hand in hand, share new opportunities for transformation and development, and usher in new future for opening-up and cooperation!