Comprehensive Economy

Liaocheng has long been the center of politics and economy of the west of Shandong (Luxi). It has been governed by Jun or Fu (names of important local governments in ancient China) since the Sui and Tang dynasties. In the period of Ming and Qing dynasties, the Grand Canal brought the city to economic prosperity for more than 400 years. At that time, masts stood like forest, boats lined adjacent to one another, goods on harbors were laid like hills and there were incessant streams of horses and carriages in the ancient water city. The unimpeded transport attracted lots of businessmen from Qinjin, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui etc. to make business, open workshops, and establish banks. Shops stood row upon row, workshops spotted like stars in the sky and everything was prosperous. Hence, Liaocheng is honored as “the throat of the Canal, the armpit of heaven, and the capital north of the Yangtze River”. An ancient cultural city as it is, Liaocheng is a prosperous modern city since the reform and opening up policy was adopted under the leadership of the city committee and administrative government. Nowadays Liaocheng has three listed companies and 43 enterprises with sales income and pretax profit surpassing 100 million yuan and 10 million yuan. Textile, pharmaceuticals, machinery, papermaking, chemicals and power generation are the pillar industries of the city.