Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province, is also an economic, cultural, transportation, commerce and trade center for Northeast China. It covers a 13,000-square-kilometer area, with 10 districts, three counties (cities), and three national-level development zones.By the end of 2016, Shenyang had a population of 8.29 million, an increase of 0.01 percent compared with the number at the end of 2015. Meanwhile, the population of household registration in Shenyang reached 7.34 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 0.55 percent.

Known as “the birthplace of a dynasty and two emperors”, Shenyang is one of the first national noted historic and cultural cities, boasting a proud history. It has three UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites –– Shenyang Palace Museum, Fuling Tomb and Zhaoling Tomb, as well as more than 1,500 historic and cultural relics including Xinle ruins, Family Temple for Xibe People, and Marshal Zhang’s Mansion Museum.

The city has obvious location advantages, with complete high-speed rail, expressway and inter-city railway networks. It also has the largest railway marshaling yard and airport in Northeast China. Shenyang, together with neighboring Anshan, Fushun, Benxi, Yingkou, Liaoyang, Tieling, and Fuxin, constitute the Shenyang Economic Zone, which has abundant resources and complementary economies. It is a national new-type industrialization comprehensive reform pilot zone.

Shenyang is a well-developed industrial base with a complete range of industrial categories. It is a nationally-famous industrial city dominated by the equipment manufacturing industry. The city has developed advantageous industries such as automobiles and parts, modern construction, deep processing of agricultural products, chemicals, iron and steel, and the deep processing of non-ferrous metals. It is also a national-level pilot zone for the integration of informatization and industrialization. Shenyang has seen rapid growth in its financial industry. The city currently has 726 financial and financial service institutions, making it the financial center for Northeast China. The city also has a strong scientific research base and rich human resources, with 44 colleges and universities, and 28 national-level engineering research centers and key laboratories.

Shenyang has established economic and trade ties with 188 countries and regions. It has become a sister city with 18 cities in 13 countries and has established friendship and cooperation with 63 cities in 21 countries. The city has opened 59 international air routes. In addition, 87 Fortune 500 companies such as General Motors Corporation, BMW, and Michelin have set up 152 companies between them in Shenyang.

Shenyang is a National Civilized City, a National Model City for Environmental Protection, a National Forest City and a National Garden City. It is also a demonstration zone for integration of industrialization and informatization, and a national new-type industrialization comprehensive reform pilot zone. The city is currently accelerating the construction of a National Central City, an advanced equipment manufacturing base, and working towards becoming a livable city with a good environment, to promote the comprehensive revitalization of the old industrial base.