WU-HSING

also called Hu-chou, Pinyin Wuxing, or Huzhou, city in northern Chekiang sheng (province), China. Wu-hsing is situated close to the southern shore of T'ai Lake, some 40 miles (65 km) north of Hang-chou and 39 miles (63 km) west of Chia-hsing. Situated on the Tung-t'iao River, which flows into the lake, Wu-hsing has excellent waterway communications with the whole northern Chekiang plain. The city was established as a county, Wu-ch'eng, in the 2nd century BC. In 266 the city became the administrative seat of the commandery (district controlled by a commander) of Wu-hsing. After some temporary changes of name, the city became the seat of Hu-chou (prefecture) in 602, taking its name from T'ai Lake. In 982 the city was divided into two counties, Wu-ch'eng and Kuei-an. By the 11th century it was a major centre of trade, the biggest centre of commerce in the Yangtze River Delta after Hang-chou and Su-chou. In 1225 it was renamed An-chi-chou, but in 1280 the Yan (Mongol) dynasty (12061368) restored the name Hu-chou. Under the Ming (13681644) and Ch'ing (16441911/12) dynasties, it was the seat of a superior prefecture, Hu-chou, and became a prosperous administrative centre. In the 1860s, however, the surrounding area was one of the last strongholds of the Taiping Rebellion (185064); from 1862 to 1864 the area was under the control of rebel forces, who looted and pillaged the city and its surroundings. After the fall of Nanking to Ch'ing troops in July 1864, the rebel leadership fell back on Hu-chou, which was then occupied by the loyalist armies. During this period the city suffered great damage, and its population was much reduced. After the establishment of the republic in 1911, the superior prefecture was abolished, and the city became the seat of Wu-hsing County. In the 1930s, when the area was badly hit by a depression in the silk handicraft industry, for which Wu-hsing had a world reputation, there was much unrest, several minor uprisings taking place in the district. Wu-hsing is an important commercial centre. The surrounding area is densely populated and has been intensely farmed since at least the 7th century AD. The area produces rice, oilseeds, mulberries, and silkworms and is also well-known for sheep raising. The chief industries in the city are silk reeling and the weaving of fine silk fabrics. There are also rice-polishing and oil-extracting works and some minor engineering and chemical industries. A rail line between Ch'ang-hsing and Hang-chou runs about 10 miles (16 km) west of Wu-hsing. Pop. (1985 est.) 184,900.