Gansu is a province in the north west of the People's Republic of China that extends from the Mongolian border in the north to the geographic centre of China in the south. It provides a vital link between the upper Huang Ho (Yellow River) area in the east and Chinese Turkistan in the west.
Gansu has a long history of international trade and transport because of its geographic link between east and west. The 2000-year-old Silk Road, the main trading route between China and Europe, passes through Gansu and many of the province's cities have grown up along it. The largest of these cities, Lanzhou, is now the provincial capital.
The province has a remarkable history even by Chinese standards. Cultural artefacts like painted clay pots dating back over 6000 years have been found in the province.
Gansu also boasts one of the largest Tibetan lamaseries in China, with its own university. The province has many fascinating Buddhist temples carved into cliffs. Between the temples are narrow tunnels, which the Buddhist monks used to get from one to another.
Gansu occupies a huge area that incorporates many different climatic geographic regions, from well irrigated lowland plains to dry alpine regions. This diversity makes it possible for an equally wide range of crops to be produced: wheat, rice, cotton, tea, tobacco and fruit to name a few.
The province is also famous for its large tracts of pastoral land where both sheep and cattle are grazed. Gansu's high country is well suited to fine wool production and this industry is currently being developed.
Gansu is also a leading producer of petro-chemicals and machinery for the petro-chemical industry, electronic goods and textiles.
The Christchurch/Gansu friendly relationship was formally established in 1984.
The Sister City relationship came about at the request of Rewi Alley, a Cantabrian who moved to China in 1927. He spent the rest of his life there helping the Chinese people improve their standard of living. By the time of his death in 1987, Rewi Alley was considered one of the five most revered Westerners by the Chinese people.
Activities:
For more information on Rewi Alley visit:
http://www.nzchinasociety.org.nz/rewi.html
| ni hao | hello |
| zao | good morning |
| wan an | good evening |
| zai jian | goodbye |
| wo jiao | my name is |
| xie xie | thank you |
Market profiles on the Gansu Province
Note: Observance dates for some holidays change each year
| January 1 | New Year Day |
| February 1-5 | Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) |
| March 8 | International Women's Working Day |
| March 12 | Tree Planting Day |
| May 1 | International Labor Day |
| May 4 | Chinese Youth Day |
| June 1 | International Children's Day |
| August 1 | Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army |
| September 10 | Teacher's Day |
| October 1-2 | National Day |