Nanjing

Nanjing (also Nan-ching or Nanking), city in eastern China, capital of Jiangsu Province, a port on the Yangzi River. Principal manufactured goods include cement, fertilizer, chemicals, electronic equipment, iron and steel, motor vehicles, and machine tools. Nanjing University, Nanjing Union Theological Seminary (1952), and a large astronomical observatory are here. Landmarks include a bridge (1968) over the Yangzi, the tomb (built 1925-1929) of Sun Yat-sen, and the remains of a 14th-century Ming emperor's tomb.

Nanjing was founded in the 8th century bc. Under various names, it was the national capital from the 3rd to the 6th century ad and for parts of the 10th, 14th, and 15th centuries. When Beijing became the imperial capital in 1421, the city took the name Nanjing, meaning Southern Capital. It was renamed Chiang-ning during the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) and reverted to Nanjing in 1912. The city was heavily damaged (1853-1864) during the Taiping Rebellion. It was declared a treaty port in 1858 and was opened to foreign trade in 1899.

In 1912 Nanjing was made the provisional capital of the new republic of China. It fell to Communist control in 1927, and, when retaken by Nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek in 1928, it became the official capital. Japanese forces seized Nanjing in 1937 and held it until 1945; the capture of the city was accompanied by such atrocities that it became known as the “rape of Nanjing”. Following World War II, the city served (1945-1949) as capital of the republic of China. After 1949, when Beijing became the capital of the newly established People's Republic of China, Nanjing was developed as a centre of heavy industry. It became provincial capital in 1952. Population 2,740,000 (2000 estimate).