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Dalian, ChinaDalian (Simplified Chinese: 大连; Traditional Chinese: 大連; pinyin: Dàlián; Wade-Giles: Ta-lien), or Dalny (during Russian controled periods, aka Dairen during Japanese periods, or from Mid-centuary (Jointly administered by both USSR/PRC) formerly also Lüda or Luta), is the second of two strategic ice-free seaports on the Liaodong Peninsula. Today's Dalian is the governing sub-provincial city in the eastern Liaoning Province of the Northeastern People's Republic of China near the southernmost part of historic Manchuria, and serves as the administrative capital for the whole Liadong penninsula (Literally: Eastern Lianoning). The port was situated on the Southern Manchurian Railway about 525 miles ( km) from Harbin and initially developed as a commercial, industrial, and shipping center by the Russians starting in 1897--1898, after the Triple Intervention receded the
  One of the most heavily developed industrial areas of China, the Dalian administrative district today consists of Dalian proper and the smaller Lüshunkou, formerly Lüshun city known in western and Russian historic references as Port Arthur, about forty nautical miles farther along the Liaotung/Liaodong Peninsula. Historical references note that the Russian designed city of Dalny (Alt. Dalney), on the south side of Talien Bay was 25 rail miles from Port Arthur/Lüshun (known today as Lüshunkou or literally Lüshun Port).
GeographyDalian is located west of the Yellow Sea (Korea Bay) and east of Bohai Sea roughly in the middle of the Liaodong/Liaotung peninsula at its narrowest neck or isthmus. With a coastline of 1,906 km, it governs the entire Liaodong Peninsula and about 260 surrounding islands and reefs. It is south-south-west of the Yalu River, and its harbor entrance forms a sub-Bay known as Dalian Bay. HistoryPart of the State of Yan in the Spring and Autumn Period, Dalian became a small town in the 1880s, when the Qing Empire established bridges, cannon platforms and camps there. Named after the Dalianwan Bay (大连湾) of the Yellow Sea northeast of the peninsula, it was officially called Dalian in 1899, and the term was first used in October 1879 by Li Hongzhang in a document. Dalian of south Pulandian was occupied by the British in 1858, returned to the Chinese in the 1880s, and then occupied by Japan in 1895 during the first Sino-Japanese War. From 1898-1905, it was occupied by the Russians and renamed Dalny (Qingniwaqiao 青泥洼桥 of Zhongshan District, Dalian), Both Dalny and Port Arthur (Lüshunkou) were developed and heavily fortified by the Russians in the period 1896-1904 (Note: Even before the treaty rights forced on China in 1898), and immediately after the Triple Intervention succeeded in 1895. Consequently, some historians blame the fall of Port Arthur, a world shaking event of epic proportions, during the siege of Port Arthur on January 2nd, 1905 for the failure by Admiral Eugene Alexeieff, to concentrate on the naval base and its fortifications, instead spliting precious resources shipped 5,000 miles across the single tracked Trans-Siberian Railway and Manchurian railways. After the Russo-Japanese war Port Arthur was conceded to Japan (Treaty of Portsmouth), who set up the Kwantung Leased Territory or Guandongzhou. Since the foundation of Manchukuo in 1932, the sovereignty of the territory moved from China to Manchukuo. Japan still leased it from Manchukuo. In 1937, the modern Dalian City was enlarged and modernized by the Japanese as two cities: the northern Dairen (Dalian) and the southern Ryojun (Lushun).  After World War II, Dalian was not returned to China, but taken over by Soviets with theoretical Chinese overlordship (see Yalta Conference), and was returned to full Chinese control in 1955, although the first communist Chinese mayor of the new Lüda Administrative Office (旅大行政公署) was elected in 1945. The name Lüda was formed from the initial letters of Lüshunkou and Dalian. Because of the sudden closure of many Japanese businesses, many Dalian residents were out of work for an extended period. On December 1, 1950, Lüda was made into a city again. From March 12, 1953 to August 1, 1954, it became a municipality. The city's name was changed from Lüda to Dalian on March 5, 1981, after the State Council approved it on February 9. It was upgraded from a prefecture-level city to a sub-provincial city in 1994, with no change in its administrative subdivisions. SubdivisionsThe city administrates 6 districts, 3 county-level cities, and 1 county:
Ganjingzi, Zhongshan, Xigang, Shahekou make up the urban centre. Changhai County is made up entirely of islands east of the peninsula. There are 74 sub-districts and 127 town/townships (11 of which are ethnic). (see Political divisions of China#Levels) There are, in addition, 4 national leading open zones (对外开放先导区):
EconomyA new harbor for oil tankers, at the terminus of an oil pipeline from the Daqing oilfields, was completed in 1976. Dalian is the largest petroleum port in China, and also the 3rd largest port overall. Accordingly, Dalian is a major center for oil refineries, diesel engineering, and chemical production. Dalian has been given many benefits by the Chinese government, including the title of "open-city," (1984) which allows it considerable foreign investment (see Special Economic Zone). In recent years, the city has become a major base for the outsourcing of Japanese-language businesses, such as call-centers. Japanese is widely spoken in the area, and many local people are familiar with Japanese customs and culture. TransportationDalian is served by Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport. Cultural LifeEvery September Dalian hosts the Dalian International Fashion Festival. This festival is a chance for many major foreign companies to showcase their new products and sign up buyers. Before the festival, the city holds an opening ceremony attended by government officials as well as famous stars of the entertainment world. Dalian is the home of three zoological parks: Dalian Forest Zoo, Shengya Ocean World, and Polar World. The Forest Zoo has a free-range animal section as well as a more traditional zoo. Shengya Ocean World includes an underwater conveyor through a transparent tunnel. Polar World is the only park devoted to polar animals in China. MiscellaneousDalian is considered a "model city" from which other urban planning in China is to be inspired. Dalian is a sister city of Kitakyūshū (Japan), Le Havre (France), Glasgow (Scotland), Vancouver (Canada), Bremen (Germany), Incheon (South Korea), Oakland (USA), Rostock (Germany), Houston (USA), Maizuru (Japan), Vladivostok (Russia), Pointe-Noire (Congo). The Dalian's soccer club is Dalian Shide, one of twelve teams in the Chinese Super League. Prior to 2000 they were known as Dalian Wanda. Many regard Dalian Shide as China's premier soccer club having achieved success as: Jia A Champions 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 Asian Club Championship Runners-up 1997 Asian Cup Winners' Cup Runners-up 2001 Chinese Super Cup Winners 1997, 2001, 2003 China FA Cup Winners 2001 The German anatomist Gunther von Hagens runs a plastination center in Dalian. Colleges and universities
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