Tianjin, China

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Chinese cities.

The first settlements in the region date back to the times of the Warring Kingdoms (475-221 BC). Tianjin was well known as a trading settlement in the 12th C, when it was a center for the sale and distribution of corn and other foodstuffs from the south.

In 1404 the town - then known as Tianjinwei - was given a town-wall and made into a military garrison. It became increasingly important as a commercial center during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). In 1858 the Chinese government was obliged to sign the ''Treaty of Tianjin'' which provided trading concessions to foreigners, something which the population found abhorrent and which led to serious conflicts. Two years later foreign powers occupied Tianjin and declared its port open to all trading ships. In the years that followed Great Britain, France, Japan, Germany, Russia, Italy, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Belgium were all granted settlements here, and they gave the town a certain European character which it still retains to some degree.

By 1860 Tianjin had grown into an important sea-port, and ten years later the first Chinese textile factory opened up here.

During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 the town-walls were destroyed. In 1937 the Japanese occupied Tianjin. After 1949 industry, especially heavy industry, developed apace. Floods, which had previously been a frequent menace, were kept at bay by means of various engineering projects. In 1976 a devastating earthquake destroyed large parts of the city.

Tianjin, the third largest city in China, is one of northern China's leading industrial cities. Although heavy industry predominates, light industry, chemicals, textiles and the famous carpet factories all make an important contribution to the economy. The city co-operates to a major degree with countries overseas.

Xingang, one of China's largest ports, is only 48km/30mi from the center of Tianjin.