In the early 20th century，Harbin had risen to become a famous international commercial and trade center in northeastern Asia.After New China was founded in 1949，and especially after the reform and opening-up policies were initiated in the late 1970s，Harbin’s appearance changed remarkably.Its achievements in economic，cultural and social fields are perfectly obvious.Since the city implemented a strategy of “strengthening ties with regions to the south and opening wider to regions to the north”，the annual “China Harbin Economic and Trade Fair”has played an increasingly important role in connecting Harbin with the rest of the world.The fair，which annually attracts business people form nearly 70 countries and regions，has realized an accumulate- ed volume of business reaching 45.5 billion.Relying on the fair，an all-round，wide-sphere and multilevel pattern of opening up has formed in Harbin.Moreover，the city has so far established a sisterly relationship with nine cities throughout the world.
Harbin is one of China’s traditional industrial bases that boast great economic strength.The city’s leadership has made“to invigorate Harbin through developing industries”a define development strategy.Focusing on the rigid operational mechanism and low efficiency of State-owned enterprises（SOEs），Harbin has energetically implemented SOEs’ structural adjustment and system innovation according with scientific and technological development.In 1999，Harbin invested 1.07 billion yuan in 54 key technological renovation projects involving auto mak- ing，food，pharmaceuticals and electromechanical industries.In the meantime，more than 80 SOEs in the city have completed the transfor- mation of their operational mechanisms or have been reorganized，therefore becoming the major impetus of local economic development.Thanks to theaccelerated upgrading of traditional products and industries，a series of new stimuli to economic growth have also emerged .The Y-12 multi-purpose aircraft，which was developed and manufactured by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corp.，has taken the lead in China meeting international standards and has been exported to more than 20 countries and regions.Also，Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Crop.currently has an annual capacity of 20,000 engines，Harbin Dong’an Engine Manufacturing Corp.ranks among China’s several production bases of mini-van engines.Harbin Pharmaceuticals（Group）Co.Ltd.realized a volume of business of 3.83 billon yuan in the first half of 2000，placing it among the forerunners of the industry in the nation，Harbin’s industrial economy had sustained growth form the beginning of 1999 to the end of 2000.In the first nine months of last year，the city’s industrial output value amounted to 73.51 billon yuan.Local SOEs as a whole were expected to turn deficits into profits by the end of 2000.
The city also boasts about its agriculture.Its grain output has stayed around 8 billion kilograms for years，leading the capital cities of China’s various provinces and autonomous regions in terms of commodity grain supply.Abundant natural resources and steady production capacity have ensured Harbin an important role in the agricultural development of Heilongjiang Province and even the country.Eight of the 12 counties and cities under the jurisdiction of the Harbin are State-level commodity gain bases.Currently，Harbin accounts for one-third of Heilongjiang provinces total output value in agriculture，forestry，husbandry and fishing，which was 26.64 billion yuan in 1999.Its grain production has achieved a bumper harvest for consecutive years.
Relying on its special ecological environment and advantageous natural resources，Harbin has actively advanced construction of green food production bases，while supporting key green food processing enterprises and developing name brands of green food.Because per capita net income in the city’s rural areas reached 2408 yuan in 1999，many of the local farmers are living a relatively comfortable life.
The increasingly improved investment environment has contributed remarkably to Harbin’s opening to the outside world.In the 10th five- year plan period（2001-2005），a number of large-scale construction projects with a high scientific and technological content will be carried out push ahead with the city’s socio-economic development.These projects include a fuel alcohol project，the Nierji Reservoir，the Harbin International convention and Exhibition Center，the mini-van technolo- gies introduction project of Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Crop.，the No.1 tract traffic line，the concentrated heating system for Harbin proper，as well as technological renovation projects of the city’s phar- maceuticals industry.