CITY PROFILE - BAOJI

Baoji was a historical town with about 7 000 people at the beginning o f this century. The strategic location made it an important transport and communication node in central China. Since 1949 it has attracted m any government funded industrial and transport-related projects. By th e early 1990s it has become the second largest city and a regional pol itical and economic centre in Shaanxi Province with a population of 45 0 000. Under the current economic reform, the city faces new challenge s and has to compete with other places for private investment. The cit y planners are seeking new approaches to shape the future development.