As one of the five autonomous regions in China, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China's northwest spans an area of 66,400 square kilometers, with a population of 6.18 million people. Among them, 2.22 million are Hui and 40,000 are Manchu, Mongol and Dongxiang people. Ningxia, famous for its beautiful natural landscapes and rich historical and cultural heritage, ranks the third in the country in per capita cultivated area. Blessed by the Yellow River, the region is one of the four commodity grain production bases of China and one of the three national demonstration areas for modern agriculture. Among its fifty-plus mineral deposits, its coal resource ranks the sixth in the country. Ningxia also ranks the first in electricity generation and the third in per capita coal production. It has advanced highway, railway, air transportation and telecommunication network. For ten years in a row, its economic growth rate is higher than the average level of the country. Apart from its existent energy, chemical, new material, machinery and farm produce processing industries, the new Ningdong industrial city will bring a faster economic progress. Other aspects of social construction, like public heath, culture and education, have developed rapidly in Ningxia.

Preface