TAN-TUNG

formerly (until 1965) An-tung, Pinyin Dandong, or Andong, city, southeastern Liaoning Province (sheng), China. A prefecture-level municipality (shih), its territory includes not only the municipal area but also several counties (hsien) occupying the entire North Korean border zone of Liaoning. It is situated some 22 mi (35 km) from the mouth of the Yalu River. The city, known as An-tung until 1965, took its name from that of the protectorate general set up in southern Liaoning by the T'ang dynasty (618907) in the mid-7th century. In the late 16th century the Ming dynasty (13681644) constructed a fort, Chen-chiang-pao, at what is now called Chiu-lien-ch'eng, some 2 1/2 mi northeast of the modern city; during the late period of the Ming dynasty and early part of the Ch'ing dynasty (16441911/12), it held an important strategic position. The surrounding area was only sparsely peopled until the mid-19th century, but after it was opened for colonization in 186274, it was quickly settled, largely by immigrants from Shantung Province; in 1876 it was constituted a county town with a regular civil administration. As the town grew, it became the natural outlet for the Ch'ang-pai Shan (mountains) area and a centre of trade between Korea and Manchuria (now known as the Northeast). It became a collecting centre for agricultural produce, especially soybeans from the surrounding district, and was even more important as a timber exporting port. It developed a large junk fleet engaged in the coastal trade to Tientsin, Shanghai, and Shantung Province. It was opened to foreign trade as a treaty port in 1907. Early in the 20th century its importance was enhanced by the construction of a railway joining it to Shen-yang (Mukden). Built by the Japanese Army during the Russo-Japanese War (190405), it passed under Japanese control according to the Treaty of Portsmouth; An-tung then became an important outlet for Manchurian goods. It was, however, a poor natural port, situated 22 mi from the sea on a river that rapidly silted up. During the Japanese occupation (193145), construction of a modern deepwater port at Tung-kou was begun at the mouth of the Yalu, but this was never completed. In 1933 An-tung was designated as one of the principal centres for industrial development. A large textile industry grew, and lumber processing and wood-pulp plants were installed. Since 1949 the city's industrial growth has continued. Its industry is highly diversified. The textile industry now includes cotton and silk weaving, silk reeling, and the making of synthetic fibres. There is a large paper and wood-pulp industry, and a diversified chemical industry producing pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals; there is also a rubber industry and various engineering undertakings. Pop. (1980 UN est.) 656,000.