CHAN-CHIANG

Pinyin Zhanjiang, formerly Tsamkong, city in southwestern Kwangtung sheng (province), China. Chan-chiang is an important port on Chan-chiang Bay on the eastern side of the Luichow Peninsula and is protected by Nao-chou Island and Tung-hai Island. Originally Chan-chiang was a minor fishing port in the area dominated by the city of Hai-k'ang (Lei-chou), some 22 miles (35 km) to the southwest, and at one time harboured a notorious nest of pirates. It first came to prominence when it was occupied by the French in 1898. In 1899 the Chinese were forced to grant France a 99-year lease of the port, the two major islands nearby, and a strip of coastal land totaling 325 square miles (842 square km). Administratively it was subject to French Indochina. It was then opened as a free port and renamed Fort Bayard. The port, however, did not develop, as the hinterland was not prosperous; instead the French developed access to their sphere of influence in Southwest China via the railway to Hanoi in what is now northern Vietnam. Chan-chiang was occupied by the Japanese early in 1943 and was returned to Chinese control in 1945. Since 1949, under the Communist government, Chan-chiang has developed new importance. In 1955 a rail link was built to Li-t'ang in Kwangsi province, where it joined the HunanKwangsi rail system. Since that time Chan-chiang has been developing into a major modern port serving southwest China, usable by ships of up to 10,000 tons. In 1984 Chan-chiang was designated one of China's open cities in the new open-door policy inviting foreign investment. Chan-chiang has also begun to develop industrially. It has small shipyards and engineering works, textile plants, and sugar-refining, flour- and rice-milling, and chemical works. Pop. (1988 est.) 364,000.