Fuzhou, located along China's southeast coast and separated from Taiwan by a mere strip of water, is the capital of Fujian Province, facing Taiwan to the east across the Taiwan Strait. It is a major ancestral home of the overseas Chinese with Fuzhou origin as well as a national historic and cultural city.

　　Fuzhou, with more than two thousand years of history, has produced a great number of outstanding figures since ancient times and has long been known as "a blessed land and auspicious mountainous kingdom" and "home of culture". In history, Fuzhou has been an important trading port in the southeast coast and an important gateway to the "Maritime Silk Road". Zhenghe's seven voyages to the west all started from this city. As the cradle of modern Chinese navy and site of modern industry and scientific technology, Fuzhou has initiated China's industrialization and modernization in modern times. Its geographic location and profound culture have nurtured the outstanding ocean civilization featuring as openness, broadness and compatibility, represented by Tanshi Hill culture, shipping culture, three lanes and seven alleys culture.

　　Since the initiation of the reform and opening-up drive, Fuzhou's economy and social develpment have grown consistently and rapidly, with GDP, industrial output value and local financial revenue skyrocketing to 197.459 billion yuan, 308.07 billion yuan and 14.656 billion yuan respectively in 2007, resulting in a growth rate of 15.1%, 21.83% and 26.8% compared with that of the previous year. The living standards and income of both urban and rural residents has risen steadily. The per capita disposable income has reached 16, 642 yuan for urban residents, and the per capita net income has reached 6,286 yuan for rural residents, with an actual growth of 12.2% and 7.5% respectively. Fuzhou has been recognized as one of the provincial capitals with the most vigorous economic growth rate, improved infrastructures and comfortable and desirable living environment.

　　Over the years, Fuzhou has been awarded with the titles of National Sanitary City (in 1999), China Top Tourist City (in 2000), National Garden City (in 2003), National Model City for Environmental Protection (in 2004). Fuzhou has won the titles of Culturally Advanced City in the National City Civilization Construction for three consecutive times, National Science and Technology Progress Advanced City (National Advanced Revitalization City by Science and Education) for six times and National Model City for Mutual Support between the Civilians and the Armed Forces for five times.

　　Vigorous development in economy and social undertakings has contributed to progress in sports. For the past twenty years or more, Fuzhou has selected thousands of excellent sports talents from its athlete reserve for the national and provincial teams. Among them 24 won the titles of World Championship, 26 Asian Championship, 50 National Championship and 12 broke Asian records. The most renowned are Qi Hui, swimming star athlete, Huang Shanshan, champion of trampoline, Xue Chen,,female volleyball player. In addition, quite a number of sport facilities and fitness centers have been built, providing comfortable venues for people to do exercises and competitive athletic training.

　　（Editor：shenjiaju）