Gansu Provincial Government

Gansu province is also called Long or Gan for short. It is the cradle of Chinese culture. According to archeological findings, the Yangshao Culture emerged in this area about 6,000 years ago. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD8), the Silk Road linking the Central Plains with the Western Regions was built.

This ancient trade route starts in the old capitals of Luoyang and Xi'an, reaches the Yellow River at Lanzhou, follows along the Hexi Corridor and stretches along the edge of deserts and mountains. Before the discovery of the sea route to India, the Silk Road was the most important connection between the Orient and the West, via which China's ancient four inventions, pottery, iron wares were exported to the West, and astronomy, mathematics, religions and gems were introduced into China. Gansu was officially established during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

So far as the industries are concerned, there are equipment manufacture for petroleum, chemical industry, non-ferrous metals and petrochemical industry, all of which have occupied the important position in the whole country. The agricultural products mainly include wheat, cotton, flax and sugar beet, among which flax occupies an important position in the country.