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Qingdao, China: Shandong Province |
 Qingdao (青岛; 青島; QīngDǎo; TsingTao; Ch'ing-tao) is a picturesque coastal city that lies on the southern tip of Shandong Peninsula, located in JiaoZhou Bay facing the Yellow Sea. Qingdao, with an annual average temperature of 12.2°C, is also a well-known holiday resort in China. The city has seven urban districts and five county level cities under its jurisdiction with an area of 10,645 square kilometers and a population of more than 8.1 million. Before troops were garrisoned here by the imperial court of Qing in 1891, Qingdao had been a small fishing village. It became a German concession in 1897 and was occupied by invading Japanese soldiers when the First World War broke out in 1914. The famous May 4th Movement was launched in 1919 and protestors, against the then Chinese government yielding to Japanese pressure, demanded the recommencement of sovereignty over Qingdao. The city reverted to Chinese rule in 1922, but was occupied by Japan again during the Second World War. After World War II Qingdao served as the headquarters of the Western Pacific Fleet of the US Navy. The USS Alaska, allowed by the KMT, occupied Tsingtao, China in October 1945. On 2nd June, 1949, the CCP's Red Army entered Qingdao and the city and province have been under PRC control since that time. Today it is one of the most important independent open coastal cities with state planning and budgeting powers including provincial power in economic management. The city has recently experienced rapid growth. A new central business district (CBD) created near the Qingdao International Marina & Water Sports Center, east of May 4th Square and the city government building, is Shandong's costal business Mecca. Its major industries include trade, light industry, tourism and oceanography research. The uniqueness of the city consists in its architecture and an attractive urban landscape. With its wealth of natural and human resources, its year-round schedule of tourist festivals and events, coupled with many tourist facilities and an extensive transportation network, Qingdao has become an ideal tourist destination both at home and abroad. In 2008, Qingdao will host the Sailing Regattas of the 29th Olympic Games as well as the 13th Paralympic Games and in 2009 will welcome sailors from the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR 2008-2009). |
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