Anhui is truly a wonderful place with a long history, splendid culture and charming landscape.

It is a historic and unique province that can lay claim to centuries of continuous existence and profound cultural heritage. Taoism - introduced by Master Lao (or Lao Tzu) and Master Zhuang (or Chuang Tzu) in the Huai River Drainage area more than two thousand years ago - together with Confucianism, form the two traditional cultural pillars of the nation. A great number of outstanding personalities in various fields and national, even international celebrities were associated with the province in early modern and modern Chinese history. Southern Anhui, which is famous for its beautiful mountains and lakes, is the cradle of the Huizhou Culture. The splendid Huizhou Culture has helped to establish unique schools of thoughts and styles of various fields. Together with Dunhuang Studies and Tibetan Studies, Hui Culture is reputed as one of China’s three major Regional Studies. It is understandable to say that the history and culture of Anhui have had a far-reaching impact on the course of Chinese national development.

The abundance of mineral resources highlights the industrial advantages for Anhui’s accelerated development. Anhui is rich in mineral resources with abundant deposits of coal, iron and copper; it is a productive base of energy and raw materials in the country. It is also a good producer of grain, edible oil, cotton and tea. Anhui is deemed as one of the most important agricultural bases in China. The convenient transportation network and favorable geographical location make Anhui the most fitting place to augment its economic power as the developed eastern coastal region enlarges its economy and transfers some of its industries to inland areas. The widely publicized “861 Action Scheme” has established the advantages for Anhui to accelerate its development. The blueprint of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan has drawn the outline of a brilliant future for Anhui. At present, Anhui’s economic development is at its best; it is gearing up on the fast track of development. The automobile manufacturing, engineering machine building, energy, raw materials, chemical industry, household electrical appliances, and farm and sideline products deep-processing industry are identified as the Pillar Industries in the Anhui economy. The Pillar Industries have been the driving force of province’s economic growth, providing impetus to growth of other sectors; as a result, the province’s comprehensive economic strength is on the increase. Anhui is an attractive destination for investors who are looking for rich dividends for their ventures. The magnificent scenery of the province highlights the natural landscape of China. Huangshan (the Yellow Mountains) is known for its grandeur, magnificence, overwhelming beauty and tranquility throughout the world. It has been laurelled three world-class glorious titles: World Heritage of Culture, World Heritage of Nature and World Geopark. Located in the south of Anhui Province, the ancient villages, Xidi and Hongcun were included in the Catalogue of the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2000. Known as a Lotus Buddhist Kingdom, Mountain Jiuhua is one of the four most famous Buddhist shrines in China. With numerous scenic spots scattering throughout the place, the perfect combination of the charming landscape and the Huizhou Culture make southern Anhui one of the nation’s most popular scenic attractions of high taste and of unique style, and the world’s top tourist destinations.

Anhui is a fast-growing and dynamic province with lots of potential existing opportunities.

The open Anhui will sincerely greet guests from all over the world; the developing Anhui has limitless opportunities for investors; the economic growth of Central China, a key part of the country’s overall strategic plan, depends much upon Anhui as one of China’s greatest potential areas for development. Anhui people will “snatch the opportunity, avail themselves of the favorable policies and do all we can to grow.” Anhui is now experiencing a period of accelerated industrialization. As we and our nation leap forward in economic development we also must persist in putting people first and strive to build a “harmonious Anhui” in which all can share in the benefits of a relatively affluent society.

Therefore, we have “Anhui China” printed. It is the official yearbook of Anhui Province that showcases to the interested readers the beautiful natural landscape and flourishing socioeconomic development of the province in a comprehensive way.