CH'IUNG-SHAN

also called Ch'iung-chou, Pinyin Qiongshan, or Qiongzhou, also called Kiung Chow town in Hainan sheng (province), China. It is situated some 3 miles (5 km) south of Hai-k'ou on the northern coast of Hainan Island. A county town was first established there in the early years of the 1st century BC, and after AD 25 its name was changed to Chu-yai ("Shore of Pearls"), after the famous pearl fisheries of the region. Under later dynasties it became the centre of a commandery or prefectural government, receiving the name Ch'iung-shan during 627-649. Under the Ming (1368-1644) and Ch'ing (1644-1911/12) dynasties it became the superior prefecture of Ch'iung-chou. It had always been the administrative capital of Hainan Island and in the 16th century began to be an important commercial centre. In 1876 it was opened to foreign trade, but thereafter its outport of Hai-k'ou began to outstrip it in size and importance and in 1949 replaced it as the administrative capital. Pop. (mid-1980s est.) 10,000-50,000.