Binzhou (滨州)

1. Introduction

Binzhou City, abbreviated as Bin, historically known as Boqi, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Shandong Province, People's Republic of China. It is located in the northern part of Shandong Province, on the western coast of the Bohai Sea. The city borders Dongying to the east, Zibo to the south, Jinan to the southwest, Dezhou to the west, and faces the Bohai Sea to the north. Situated in the heart of the Yellow River Delta, the Yellow River, Xiaoqing River, Chao River, Tuhai River, and Majia River are the main rivers in the region. Binzhou is the hometown of Sun Wu (Sun family of Le'an). It is also the hometown of Dong Yong from the folk legend "The Heavenly Match." Lvju, a local opera genre of Shandong, originated in Lvyi Town, Binzhou City. Binzhou is the central area of the Bohai Revolutionary Old Base Area, the largest and most populous administrative region and core area of the Yellow River Delta. Located within the Yellow River Delta High-Efficiency Ecological Economic Zone, the Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone, and the Bohai Rim Economic Circle, it is a National Sanitary City. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 385, Huanghe 5th Road, Bincheng District.

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2. History

2.1 Ancient History

During the Shang Dynasty, the area of present-day Binzhou City belonged to the Pugu State (now Boxing County) and the Yuling State (now Changshan Town, Zouping City). In the Zhou Dynasty, the State of Qi was established on the former territory of the Pugu State, with Jiang Taigong enfeoffed as the King of Qi. Consequently, the region was part of the State of Qi for a long period. During this time, the Qiancheng State (now Boxing County) also existed within the area. After Qin conquered the six states, it established Qi Commandery here. During the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties, the area belonged to the Bohai, Pingyuan, and Qi Commanderies. Specifically, the Huimin area was part of Pingyuan Commandery; Wudi, Yangxin, Bincheng, and Zhanhua were part of Bohai Commandery; and Zouping, Boxing, and southern Bincheng were part of Qi Commandery. During the Three Kingdoms, Western Jin, Eastern Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties periods, the region was a contested area with a relatively chaotic administrative system. The area was divided by the Yellow River, belonging to Leling Commandery and Le'an Commandery.

2.2 Medieval History

In the 6th year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (586 AD), Dizhou was established, with its seat in Yangxin County. In the 2nd year of the Daye era (606 AD), it was changed to Cangzhou, and the following year to Bohai Commandery, with its seat in Hefang, Huimin County. The Tang Dynasty abolished Bohai Commandery. In the 4th year of the Wude era (621 AD), Dizhou was re-established but soon abolished. The areas of Huimin, Yangxin, Bincheng, and Zhanhua were part of Dizhou. It was re-established in the 17th year of the Zhenguan era (643 AD), with its seat in Yanci County (southeast of present-day Huimin County). In the 4th year of the Chuigong era (688 AD), Bohai County was established from parts of Puta and Yanci counties, with its seat east of present-day Binzhou City, belonging to Dizhou. Its jurisdiction covered the area of present-day Bincheng District. According to the Taiping Huanyu Ji, it was "named for being on the shore of the Bohai Sea" and belonged to Dizhou. In the 5th year of the Tianbao era (746 AD), due to the saline soil, the seat was moved west to north of the present-day Binzhou urban area. During the Five Dynasties period, most of the area belonged to Dizhou, with its seat in the Huimin County area. The Later Han established the Shanguo Army. In the 3rd year of the Xiande era of the Later Zhou (956 AD), Binzhou was established from parts of Bohai County and Puta County of Dizhou, with its seat in Bohai County. During the Song and Jin Dynasties, the seat of Dizhou was in Huimin County town, and the seat of Binzhou was in Bohai County town.

During the Yuan Dynasty, Dizhou governed four counties: Yanci, Yangxin, Wudi, and Shanghe; Binzhou governed three counties: Bohai, Zhanhua, and Lijin. In the 2nd year of the Zhiyuan era (1265 AD), the seat was moved to the present-day Binzhou urban area. In the early Ming Dynasty, Dizhou was abolished, re-established, then changed to Le'an Zhou, and later to Wuding Zhou, governing four counties: Yangxin, Haifeng, Leling, and Shanghe. In the 1st year of the Hongwu era (1368 AD), Bohai County was abolished and incorporated into Binzhou, which then governed three counties: Puta, Zhanhua, and Lijin. Both Wuding Zhou (Dizhou) and Binzhou were under Jinan Prefecture. In the early Qing Dynasty, the Ming system was followed. In the 2nd year of the Yongzheng era (1724 AD), Wuding Zhou and Binzhou were elevated to direct-controlled prefectures under the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission, governing counties as per the Ming system. In the 12th year of the Yongzheng era (1734 AD), Wuding Zhou was elevated to Wuding Prefecture, while Binzhou was downgraded to a regular prefecture subordinate to Wuding Prefecture. Huimin County was established as the capital county of Wuding Prefecture. Wuding Prefecture governed Binzhou and nine counties: Huimin, Yangxin, Haifeng, Zhanhua, Puta, Qingcheng, Leling, Lijin, and Shanghe—totaling one prefecture and nine counties.

2.3 Modern History

In the 2nd year of the Republic of China (1913 AD), Wuding Prefecture was abolished, and Binzhou was changed to Bin County. All counties in the area belonged to Daibei Circuit. In 1914, Haifeng County was renamed Wudi County, and Daibei Circuit was renamed Jinan Circuit. All counties in the area were under Jinan Circuit. In October 1925, Wuding Circuit was established, with its seat in Huimin, governing ten counties: Huimin, Yangxin, Bin County, Wudi, Lijin, Zhanhua, Leling, Puta, Shanghe, and Qingcheng County. In 1928, the circuit system was abolished, and counties were directly under the province. In 1936, the Shandong Province Fifth District Administrative Inspector's Office was established, with its office in Huimin County, governing nine counties: Huimin, Bin County, Yangxin, Shanghe, Gaoyuan, Qingcheng, Huantai, Zouping, and Changshan County. The remaining counties were still directly under the province. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan, the area saw a situation of three coexisting regimes: the Kuomintang, the Communist Party, and Japanese puppet rule. By 1944, the entire area belonged to the Bohai Administrative Region (Bohai Old Base Area) of the Communist Party of China's Shandong Province. Counties were divided among the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Special Districts of the Bohai Region, then further divided between the Third and Fourth Special Districts, later changed to the Qinghe Special District and Kenli Special District. The main part of the old base area corresponds to present-day Binzhou City. As a crucial communication hub connecting Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, and Henan, it was the most important logistics base[1] and the largest source of troops for the Communist Party's Shandong Liberated Area during the Second Chinese Civil War. During this period, the Bohai Region conducted four large-scale enlistment campaigns, with approximately 172,000 young adults from the Bohai Region joining the army, accounting for over 28% of Shandong's enlistments during the same period. They were incorporated into the four major field armies. Examples of whole units incorporated include: the Independent Sixth Brigade of the Second Column of the Northwest Field Army; the Bohai Column, Tenth Column, Special Forces Column, and Liangguang Column of the East China Field Army; and the Sixth Column of the Northeast Field Army.[2]

2.4 Contemporary History

By the end of 1949, the area was unified under the Shandong Province Bohai Region. The Bohai Administrative Office was located in Huimin County, governing the prefecture-level Dezhou City and four special districts: Kenli, Qinghe, Luobei, and Cangnan. These four special districts comprised one city and 40 counties. Among them, the Kenli Special District Office was in Yangxin County, governing nine counties: Yangxin, Wudi, Bin County, Puta, Lijin, Zhanhua, Kenli, Haibin, and Huimin County. The Qinghe Special District Office was in Huantai County, governing one city (Yangkou) and eleven counties: Huantai, Guangrao, Boxing, Qidong, Zouping, Linzi, Changshan, Gaoqing, Zhangli, Shouguang, and Yishou County.

In January 1950, the Haibin County area was merged into Wudi County. In May 1950, the Bohai Administrative Region was abolished, and its original special districts were adjusted to establish the Huimin Special District. The special district seat was in Huimin County, governing twelve counties: Huimin, Yangxin, Wudi, Zhanhua, Bin County, Puta, Boxing, Gaoqing, Qidong, Lijin, Kenli, and Guangrao.

In 1953, Zouping, Changshan, and Huantai counties were transferred from the Zibo Special District to the Huimin Special District. In 1956, the Dezhou Special District was abolished, and its five counties—Leling, Shanghe, Linyi, Jiyang, and Deping—were placed under the Huimin Special District. Changshan, Gaoqing, Puta, Kenli, and other counties were abolished. The Changshan County area was merged into Zouping County; the Gaoqing County area into Qidong County; the Puta County area into Boxing County; and the Kenli County area into Lijin County. In December 1958, Lijin County was abolished, and its area was merged into Zhanhua County; Yangxin County was abolished and merged into Wudi County; Bin County was abolished and merged into Huimin County; Qidong County was abolished, with its area divided between Boxing and Zouping counties; Huantai County was abolished and merged into Boxing County. The Huimin Special District was merged with Zibo City to form the Zibo Special District, with its seat in Zhangdian. The four counties of Leling, Linyi, Shanghe, and Jiyang from the former Huimin Special District were transferred to the Liaocheng Special District.

In 1961, after frequent divisions, mergers, and abolitions, old counties were restored, and the Huimin Special District was re-established. By the end of the year, the Huimin Special District governed twelve counties: Huimin, Yangxin, Wudi, Zhanhua, Bin County, Boxing, Gaoqing, Lijin, Kenli, Guangrao, Zouping, and Huantai. In 1967, it was renamed the Huimin Prefecture. In 1982, the county-level Binzhou City was established from Beizhen of Bin County, Xiaoying People's Commune of Boxing County, and the Zhujin Town Management Area of Caizhai People's Commune. Thus, Huimin Prefecture governed Binzhou City and twelve counties: Huimin, Yangxin, Wudi, Zhanhua, Bin County, Boxing, Gaoqing, Lijin, Kenli, Guangrao, Zouping, and Huantai—totaling one city and twelve counties. In October 1983, the prefecture-level Dongying City was separated out. Dongying City governed three counties—Lijin, Kenli, and Guangrao—and three districts—Dongying, Hekou, and Niuzhuang—formed from parts of Zhanhua, Boxing, and Guangrao. Huantai County was transferred to Zibo City. Consequently, Huimin Prefecture governed Binzhou City and eight counties: Bin County, Huimin, Yangxin, Wudi, Zhanhua, Boxing, Zouping, and Gaoqing—totaling one city and eight counties. In February 1987, Bin County was abolished and merged into Binzhou City. In December 1989, Gaoqing County was transferred to Zibo City. By this point, Huimin Prefecture governed Binzhou City and six counties: Huimin, Yangxin, Wudi, Zhanhua, Boxing, and Zouping—totaling one city and six counties, and the administrative divisions stabilized. In March 1992, Huimin Prefecture was renamed Binzhou Prefecture. In June 2000, Binzhou Prefecture was abolished and replaced by Binzhou City (prefecture-level). The county-level Binzhou City was changed to Bincheng District. In September 2014, Zhanhua County was changed to Zhanhua District. Thus, Binzhou City governs Bincheng District, Zhanhua District, and five counties: Huimin, Yangxin, Wudi, Boxing, and Zouping—totaling two districts and five counties.

3. Geography

3.1 Location

Binzhou City is located in the northern part of Shandong Province, in the heart of the Yellow River Delta, on the southwestern coast of the Bohai Bay. It connects to the sea in the north, borders Dongying City to the east, Zibo City to the south, Jinan City to the southwest, Dezhou City to the west, and faces Haixing County and Huanghua City of Hebei Province across the Zhangweixin River to the northwest. The city's territory straddles both banks of the Yellow River. Its geographic coordinates are: 36°41′ to 38°16′ north latitude and 117°15′ to 118°37′ east longitude. The maximum east-west span is 120 kilometers, the maximum north-south span is 175 kilometers, and the total area is 9,453 square kilometers.

3.2 Topography

Binzhou City lies within the Jiyang Depression in the southeastern part of the Cenozoic sedimentation area of North China. The underlying bedrock of the Cenozoic era consists of Paleozoic sedimentary strata and pre-Sinian metamorphic rock series. These are divided into several small fault blocks by several northeast-trending faults. Mesozoic strata are essentially absent, with Cenozoic strata directly overlying the Paleozoic strata. The fault block depressions formed Cenozoic depression basins, depositing a complete set of thick Cenozoic strata. These strata are interbedded deposits of marine, lacustrine, and alluvial clastics, containing abundant organic matter conducive to petroleum generation. Except for the mountainous area in southern Zouping, most of the city's surface is covered by Quaternary sediments. The area south of the Xiaoqing River lies at the middle to tail end of the alluvial plain at the northern foot of the central Shandong mountainous region, an overlapping zone of diluvial and alluvial plains, where the thickness of the diluvial-alluvial strata generally ranges from 100 to 200 meters. The area north of the Xiaoqing River belongs to Yellow River alluvial deposits, with thickness mostly between 200 and 400 meters, being thickest (up to 400 meters) between the Xiaoqing River and the Yellow River. For a long time, the Jiyang Depression area has been a subsidence zone, with the crust continuously subsiding while being filled by river alluvium, especially dominated by the alluvial action of sediment-laden rivers like the Yellow River. The alluvial rate exceeded the crustal subsidence rate, forming a vast alluvial plain.

The terrain of Binzhou City is higher in the south and lower in the north, generally sloping from southwest to northeast, gradually transitioning to the sea. Bounded by the Xiaoqing River, the entire area exhibits two distinct types of geomorphological features. The Changbai Mountain range in southern Zouping, south of the Xiaoqing River, belongs to the low mountain and hilly region at the northern foot of the Taiyi mountainous area, featuring steep and lofty terrain. Its main peak, Moheding, has an elevation of 826.8 meters, the highest point in the city. The rest is a piedmont inclined plain with gentle relief, interspersed with gentle ridges and depressions, with elevations generally ranging from 8 to 800 meters. North of the Xiaoqing River is the Yellow River alluvial plain, with elevations generally between 1 and 20 meters. Overall, the terrain is low and flat. Due to historical frequent course changes and breaches of the Yellow River, causing交错分布 of sediments, combined with river scouring, seawater intrusion, natural erosion, and human activities, a geomorphological特征 of "large flatness with small unevenness" has formed, characterized by alternating low ridges, gentle slopes, and shallow depressions with明显的 micro-topographical differences.

3.3 Hydrology

• Yellow River
• Xiaoqing River System: Xiaoqing River, Xiaofu River, Xinghua River, Zhimai River
• Hai River System: Tuhai River, Dehui New River, Majia River, Zhangweixin River, Qinkou River, Chao River

3.4 Climate

Binzhou City Meteorological Data (1971–2000)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|------|------|------|------| | Record high °C (°F) | 14.7 (58.5) | 22.5 (72.5) | 25.7 (78.3) | 31.9 (89.4) | 39.8 (103.6) | 39.0 (102.2) | 39.1 (102.4) | 35.8 (96.4) | 34.6 (94.3) | 31.0 (87.8) | 24.4 (75.9) | 18.2 (64.8) | 39.8 (103.6) | | Average high °C (°F) | 2.7 (36.9) | 5.8 (42.4) | 12.2 (54.0) | 20.5 (68.9) | 26.1 (79.0) | 30.8 (87.4) | 31.3 (88.3) | 30.0 (86.0) | 26.3 (79.3) | 20.3 (68.5) | 11.8 (53.2) | 4.8 (40.6) | 18.6 (65.4) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -3.3 (26.1) | -0.6 (30.9) | 5.8 (42.4) | 13.9 (57.0) | 19.7 (67.5) | 24.7 (76.5) | 26.5 (79.7) | 25.2 (77.4) | 20.2 (68.4) | 13.8 (56.8) | 5.6 (42.1) | -0.9 (30.4) | 12.5 (54.5) | | Average low °C (°F) | -7.8 (18.0) | -5.4 (22.3) | 0.4 (32.7) | 7.8 (46.0) | 13.6 (56.5) | 18.8 (65.8) | 22.2 (72.0) | 21.1 (70.0) | 15.1 (59.2) | 8.5 (47.3) | 0.7 (33.3) | -5.2 (22.6) | 7.5 (45.5) | | Record low °C (°F) | -21.2 (-6.2) | -21.4 (-6.5) | -16.6 (2.1) | -2.5 (27.5) | 4.6 (40.3) | 10.8 (51.4) | 12.5 (54.5) | 12.6 (54.7) | 5.0 (41.0) | -3.6 (25.5) | -12.9 (8.8) | -20.0 (-4.0) | -21.4 (-6.5) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 4.2 (0.17) | 7.7 (0.30) | 10.1 (0.40) | 23.1 (0.91) | 39.3 (1.55) | 70.3 (2.77) | 184.3 (7.26) | 135.4 (5.33) | 44.0 (1.73) | 31.9 (1.26) | 13.5 (0.53) | 4.8 (0.19) | 568.6 (22.4) | | Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 2.2 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 5.1 | 5.6 | 7.3 | 12.3 | 9.4 | 6.2 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 2.4 | 65.9 |

3.5 Natural Resources

Binzhou City possesses 2.24 million mu of unused land and has 32 types of proven mineral resources. These include: 4 types of energy minerals: coal, petroleum, natural gas, and geothermal energy; 7 types of metallic minerals: iron, copper (associated with molybdenum, gold, silver, zinc, lead); 16 types of non-metallic minerals: phosphorus, pyrite, gypsum, barite, molding sand (quartz sand), construction sand, shell sand, kaolin, refractory clay, medical stone, clay for bricks and tiles, construction basalt, facing basalt, construction granite (Binzhou Black), rock salt, natural brine; and 3 types of water-gas minerals: groundwater, mineral water, and carbon dioxide gas. Binzhou City has 2.24 million mu of unused land. The Yellow River flows through its territory for 94 kilometers, and water networks like the Xiaoqing River and Tuhai River are densely distributed. Its wetland resources rank fourth in the province. It has a coastline of 126.44 kilometers, with 170,000 hectares of tidal flats and reed wetlands, 200,000 hectares of shallow sea area at -5 meters depth, and 96,000 hectares of land suitable for salt production.

3.6 Key Environmental Data

The characteristics of the city's environmental quality status are as follows:- The primary pollutant in the ambient air of the city is fine particulate matter. In the urban area of Binzhou City, there were 174 days with good air quality, accounting for 47.7% of the year. Among these, the national-controlled monitoring stations recorded 172 days with good air quality.

• No acid rain occurred in the urban area of Binzhou City throughout the year, and precipitation quality was relatively good.
• Among the 16 monitoring sections of 11 rivers above provincial control in the city, 13 sections met or exceeded the Class V water quality standard. All 6 national "Water Ten Articles" assessment sections met the standards, with both key indicators—chemical oxygen demand and ammonia nitrogen—showing improvement compared to the previous year. Among the 24 municipal-controlled key assessment sections, 14 met the Class V water quality requirements. Among the 23 comparable sections from the previous year, 10 showed improved water quality.
• Among the 13 drinking water sources in the city, 12 met the national water quality standards for drinking water sources. Compared to the previous year, water quality remained largely unchanged.
• The coastal water quality of the city met the requirements for Class II seawater functional zones. Compared to the previous year, coastal water quality improved, with the annual average of inorganic nitrogen decreasing by 35.2% and chemical oxygen demand decreasing by 13.1%.
• The urban road traffic noise intensity in all 7 counties and districts of the city was above Level 2 during both daytime and nighttime. Daytime regional acoustic environmental quality in Zhanhua District, Huimin County, Wudi County, Yangxin County, and Bincheng District was above Level 2; nighttime regional acoustic environmental quality in Huimin County, Yangxin County, Zhanhua District, and Wudi County was above Level 2. Except for the nighttime equivalent sound level exceeding the standard in the 4a functional zone of Bincheng District, the average equivalent sound levels in all other functional zones met the corresponding standards during both daytime and nighttime.

3.6.1 Ambient Air Quality Status

• Urban Ambient Air Quality Status
  Binzhou City has 7 ambient air automatic monitoring stations in its urban area. The ambient air quality in the urban area did not meet the Class II standard requirements of the national "Ambient Air Quality Standards" (GB/T3095-2012). The sulfur dioxide concentration was 22 µg/m³, meeting the Class II standard; nitrogen dioxide concentration was 39 µg/m³, meeting the Class II standard; inhalable particulate matter concentration was 98 µg/m³, exceeding the Class II standard by 0.40 times; fine particulate matter concentration was 54 µg/m³, exceeding the Class II standard by 0.54 times; carbon monoxide concentration was 1.8 mg/m³, meeting the Class II standard; ozone concentration was 209 µg/m³, exceeding the Class II standard by 0.31 times. Compared to the previous year, concentrations of inhalable particulate matter, fine particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide decreased, while ozone concentration increased. In 2018, the comprehensive air quality index for Binzhou City's urban area was 6.05, a decrease of 11.4% compared to the previous year.

• Daily Ambient Air Quality Report for Binzhou City's Urban Area
  In Binzhou City's urban area (based on monitoring stations above provincial control), there were 174 days with good air quality (including 29 days of excellent quality), accounting for 47.7% of the total days, a decrease of 9 days compared to the previous year (mainly due to an increase in pollution days caused by ozone and nitrogen dioxide). There were 133 days of light pollution, an increase of 15 days compared to the previous year; 45 days of moderate pollution, an increase of 1 day; and 11 days of heavy pollution or worse, a decrease of 9 days. Based on national-controlled monitoring stations, there were 172 days with good air quality, a decrease of 13 days compared to the previous year.
  Fine particulate matter was the primary pollutant on 95 days, accounting for 26.0% of the total monitored days, a decrease of 36 days compared to the previous year; inhalable particulate matter was the primary pollutant on 64 days, accounting for 17.5%, a decrease of 16 days; nitrogen dioxide was the primary pollutant on 22 days, accounting for 6.0%, an increase of 9 days; ozone was the primary pollutant on 158 days, accounting for 43.3%, an increase of 35 days.

• Ambient Air Quality in 9 Counties (Cities, Districts)
  Among the 9 counties (cities, districts), air quality from best to worst was as follows: Beihai New Area, Zhanhua District, High-tech Zone, Yangxin County, Urban Area, Wudi County, Huimin County, Boxing County, Zouping City.

3.6.2 Urban Precipitation

A total of 57 precipitation samples were collected in Binzhou City, with a total precipitation of 745.9 mm. No acid rain occurred. The pH range of precipitation was 6.25–7.27, and the electrical conductivity range was 0.40–58.0 mS/cm, with an annual average electrical conductivity of 5.52 mS/cm. The anion content in precipitation, in descending order, was sulfate > nitrate > chloride > fluoride, with sulfur oxides remaining the primary factor for precipitation acidification in the city. The cation content in precipitation, in descending order, was ammonium > calcium > sodium > potassium > magnesium. Compared to the previous year, the annual precipitation in Binzhou City increased by 44.0%, and the annual average electrical conductivity increased by 12.6%.

3.6.3 Surface Water Environment

• Overview of River Water Quality in the City
  Among the 16 monitoring sections of 11 rivers in the city, 2 sections were Class II water quality, accounting for 12.5% of the total sections; 5 sections were Class IV water quality, accounting for 31.3%; 6 sections were Class V water quality, accounting for 37.5%; and 3 sections were worse than Class V water quality, accounting for 18.8%. Compared to the previous year, the proportion of Class II sections decreased by 1.8 percentage points, Class IV sections decreased by 16.4 percentage points, Class V sections increased by 18.5 percentage points, and worse-than-Class V sections increased by 4.5 percentage points. Overall water quality was moderately polluted, showing a decline compared to the previous year.

• Water Quality Status of Major River Basins
  Among the 9 sections of 7 rivers in the Haihe River Basin, 2 sections were Class II water quality, accounting for 22.2% of the total sections; 3 sections were Class IV water quality, accounting for 33.3%; 3 sections were Class V water quality, accounting for 33.3%; and 1 section was worse than Class V water quality, accounting for 11.1%. Compared to the previous year, water quality showed no significant change, with the proportion of Class IV sections decreasing by 11.1 percentage points and Class V sections increasing by 11.1 percentage points.

Among the 7 sections of 4 rivers in the Xiaoqing River Basin, 2 sections were Class IV water quality, accounting for 28.6% of the total sections in the basin; 3 sections were Class V water quality, accounting for 42.9%; and 2 sections were worse than Class V water quality, accounting for 28.6%. Compared to the previous year, water quality showed no significant change; the proportion of Class IV sections decreased by 26.0 percentage points, Class V sections increased by 24.7 percentage points, and worse-than-Class V sections decreased by 1.3 percentage points.

• Water Quality Status of Key Assessment Sections
  All 6 national "Water Ten Articles" assessment sections in the city met the standards, including 2 Class II water quality sections, accounting for 33.3% of the assessment sections, and 4 Class V water quality sections, accounting for 66.7%. The average chemical oxygen demand and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were 25.3 mg/L and 0.66 mg/L, respectively, both showing improvement compared to the previous year.

Among the 24 key river assessment sections in the Xiaoqing River and Haihe River Basins in the city, 14 sections met the Class V water quality standard requirements. Among the 23 sections comparable to the previous year, 10 showed improved water quality, accounting for 43.5% of the total monitored sections. Compared to the previous year, 14 sections showed a decrease in the annual average chemical oxygen demand, accounting for 60.9% of the total monitored sections, while 9 sections showed an increase, accounting for 39.1%. Similarly, 13 sections showed a decrease in the annual average ammonia nitrogen, accounting for 56.5% of the total monitored sections, while 10 sections showed an increase, accounting for 43.5%.

• Drinking Water Sources
  Among the 13 drinking water sources in Binzhou City, 9 are surface water sources: Dongjiao Reservoir and Xihai Reservoir in Bincheng District, Sunwu Lake Reservoir in Huimin County, Xingfu Reservoir in Yangxin County, Sanjiaowa Reservoir, Yuehu Reservoir, and Lujiahezi Reservoir in Wudi County, Hegui Reservoir and Siyuan Lake in Zhanhua District. No超标项目 were detected in these 9 surface water sources, and all met the Class III standard. There are 4 groundwater sources: Zouping City Water Supply Company, Zouping City Water Supply Company Chengnan Water Plant, Zouping City Rural Water Supply Company, and Boxing County Water Plant. Except for Boxing County Water Plant, where fluoride超标 occurred in March due to geological reasons, no超标项目 were detected in the other 3 groundwater sources, and all met the Class III standard.

In summary, among the 13 drinking water sources in Binzhou City, 12 met the national water quality standards for drinking water sources. Compared to the previous year, water quality showed no significant change.

• Coastal Environment
  The coastal water quality of Binzhou City met the Class II seawater standard, with a 100%达标率 for seawater functional zones.

Based on monitoring frequency calculations for each indicator, non-ionic ammonia, petroleum, chemical oxygen demand, copper, lead, cadmium, and arsenic全部符合 the Class I seawater standard. For inorganic nitrogen, Class I, II, and III seawater各占 33.3%. For dissolved oxygen and active phosphate, Class I seawater各占 66.7%, and Class II seawater各占 33.3%. For pH, Class I seawater accounted for 66.7%, and Class III seawater accounted for 33.3%. For mercury, Class I seawater accounted for 33.3%, and Class II seawater accounted for 66.7%.

Compared to the previous year, coastal water quality improved, with the annual average of inorganic nitrogen decreasing by 35.2% and chemical oxygen demand decreasing by 13.1%.

3.6.4 Acoustic Environment- Road Traffic Noise

A total of 157 valid road sections were monitored across the 7 counties (cities, districts) of Binzhou City, with a total length of 283.1 kilometers. The daytime average equivalent sound level ranged from 55.2 to 68.2 decibels. The urban road traffic noise intensity in Boxing County was classified as Level 2, while the other 6 counties (cities, districts) were classified as Level 1. The nighttime average equivalent sound level ranged from 47.6 to 59.9 decibels. The urban road traffic noise intensity in Bincheng District was classified as Level 2, while the other 6 counties (cities, districts) were classified as Level 1.

• Regional Acoustic Environmental Quality
  There were 825 monitoring points across the 7 counties (cities, districts) of Binzhou City. The daytime average equivalent sound level for regional acoustic environmental quality ranged from 48.2 to 63.0 decibels. Among them, Zhanhua District had an average equivalent sound level of 48.2 decibels, with regional acoustic environmental quality classified as Level 1. Huimin County, Wudi County, Yangxin County, and Bincheng District had average equivalent sound levels of 51.2, 52.8, 53.4, and 53.7 decibels, respectively, with regional acoustic environmental quality classified as Level 2. Boxing County had an average equivalent sound level of 55.9 decibels, with regional acoustic environmental quality classified as Level 3. Zouping City had an average equivalent sound level of 63.0 decibels, with regional acoustic environmental quality classified as Level 4.

The nighttime average equivalent sound level for regional acoustic environmental quality ranged from 42.8 to 54.7 decibels. Among them, Huimin County, Yangxin County, Zhanhua District, and Wudi County had average equivalent sound levels of 42.8, 44.0, 44.1, and 44.3 decibels, respectively, with regional acoustic environmental quality classified as Level 2. Bincheng District and Boxing County had average equivalent sound levels of 45.7 and 47.6 decibels, respectively, with regional acoustic environmental quality classified as Level 3. Zouping City had an average equivalent sound level of 54.7 decibels, with regional acoustic environmental quality classified as Level 4.

• Functional Zone Acoustic Environmental Quality
  There were a total of 46 monitoring points across the 7 counties (cities, districts) of Binzhou City. The daytime average equivalent sound levels for functional zones 1 to 4a ranged from 47.5–53.0 decibels, 53.1–60.4 decibels, 49.4–62.7 decibels, and 50.6–68.2 decibels, respectively. The nighttime average equivalent sound levels ranged from 36.9–44.1 decibels, 42.8–51.2 decibels, 35.0–53.0 decibels, and 45.6–55.1 decibels, respectively. Except for the nighttime equivalent sound level in the 4a functional zone of Bincheng District exceeding the standard, the average equivalent sound levels for all other functional zones during both daytime and nighttime met the corresponding functional zone standards.

4. Administrative Divisions

Binzhou City currently administers 2 municipal districts and 4 counties, and oversees 1 county-level city on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Bincheng District, Zhanhua District
• County-level City: Zouping City
• Counties: Boxing County, Huimin County, Wudi County, Yangxin County

In addition to the formal administrative divisions, Binzhou City has also established the following economic management zones: National-level Binzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, Binzhou High-tech Industrial Development Zone, and Beihai New District.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|---------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 371600 | Binzhou City | Binzhou Shi | 9,172.19 | 3,928,568 | Bincheng District | 256600 | 29 | 58 | 4 | | 371602 | Bincheng District | Bincheng Qu | 1,040.67 | 853,649 | Shizhong Subdistrict | 256600 | 12 | 2 | 1 | | 371603 | Zhanhua District | Zhanhua Qu | 1,729.92 | 334,948 | Fuguo Subdistrict | 256800 | 2 | 7 | 2 | | 371621 | Huimin County | Huimin Xian | 1,363.42 | 569,975 | Sunwu Subdistrict | 251700 | 3 | 12 | | | 371622 | Yangxin County | Yangxin Xian | 798.47 | 421,502 | Xincheng Subdistrict | 251800 | 2 | 7 | 1 | | 371623 | Wudi County | Wudi Xian | 2,089.78 | 465,837 | Difeng Subdistrict | 251900 | 2 | 10 | | | 371625 | Boxing County | Boxing Xian | 899.97 | 508,140 | Bochang Subdistrict | 256500 | 3 | 9 | | | 371681 | Zouping City | Zouping Shi | 1,249.97 | 774,517 | Huangshan Subdistrict | 256200 | 5 | 11 | |

5. Economy

5.1 Overview

Binzhou City boasts a comprehensive industrial system primarily focused on textiles, chemicals, food processing, equipment manufacturing, and non-ferrous metals, supplemented by new materials, new energy, and marine development. Its production capacity for electrolytic aluminum, spinning, and grain processing ranks first among cities in mainland China, forming the distinctive "Binzhou Model" for the grain industry. The city also leads the nation in annual output of pistons, wheel hubs, propylene oxide, corn oil, glucose, grey fabric, as well as in the scale of metal sheet production, beef cattle processing volume, and the market share of rope and net products. High-end aluminum, new chemical materials, home textiles, grain processing, and livestock & aquaculture serve as the economic pillars of Binzhou.

Binzhou hosts industrial clusters across 25 sectors. The private enterprise Weiqiao Pioneering Group, founded by the late Shandong tycoon Zhang Shiping, is a Fortune Global 500 company. Five enterprises from Binzhou are listed among China's Top 500 Enterprises, and seven are among China's Top 500 Private Enterprises. The city is home to geographical indication brands such as Zhanhua Winter Jujube, Yangxin Pear, and Wudi Shell Porcelain, along with other notable brands including Bohai Automobile, Xiwang/Longevity Flower Corn Oil, Xiangchi Grain & Oil, Yaguang Textile, Joyvio Home Textile, Xiangshang Sportswear, Zhongyu Food, Binzhou Shrimp, Yangxin Beef Cattle, and Huimin Mushrooms. It hosts a National Resource Recycling Base. Representative enterprises also include Lubei Group, Xiangchi Group, Xiwang Group, and Binzhou Chemical Group.

Binzhou has 13 listed companies domestically and overseas, and 150 foreign-invested enterprises. In 2018, the city had 301,200 market entities of various types, 1,261 industrial enterprises above designated size, 124 high-tech enterprises, and attracted 7 new Fortune Global 500 companies. There were 383 municipal-level or above leading agricultural industrialization enterprises, including 7 at the national level and 67 at the provincial level; and 7,713 farmer cooperatives. The total number of pollution-free agricultural products, green food, organic agricultural products, and agricultural product geographical indications reached 480. Binzhou holds titles such as China's Capital of Kitchenware (Boxing County), China's Aluminum Valley (Zouping City), the Largest North China Ash Seedling Base (Huimin County), Capital of Rope and Net (Huimin County), Hometown of Winter Jujube (Zhanhua District), and Mainland China's Top County for Beef Cattle Industry (Yangxin County). Binzhou is also a production base for various aquatic products, marine chemicals, and salt chemicals, being the province's largest shrimp fry breeding base, Shandong's second-largest sea salt production base, and one of China's four major fishing grounds (the Yellow and Bohai Bay Fishing Ground). Its annual processing capacity for brine shrimp eggs is 3,000 tons, accounting for 70% of the national market share.

In 2019, the city's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached 245.719 billion yuan, with general public budget revenue of 24.296 billion yuan. The per capita disposable income of residents was 28,517 yuan, comprising 37,378 yuan for urban residents and 17,480 yuan for rural residents.

5.2 Industry

Weiqiao Pioneering, Jingbo Group, Xiwang Group, Bohai Piston, Binzhou Chemical Group, Mengwei Group, Lubei Chemical, Bohai Industrial, Binnong Technology, Shandong Innovation Group, Xiangchi Holdings, Yaguang Group, Huafang Co., Ltd., Joyvio Home Textile, Qixing Group, Oriental Carpet, Yuhua Group, Haide Crankshaft, Qinglongshan Cement, Huangguan Kitchenware, Huaxing Machinery, Zaitian Plastics, Jinghua Auto Trade, Qiaochang Chemical, Longda Food. Binzhou Port, Binzhou Unicom, Binzhou Mobile, Jiaoyun Group.

6. Transportation

Binzhou is a national highway transportation hub city and a comprehensive transportation hub in the Bohai Rim region. It serves as a vital corridor connecting Jiangsu, Shandong, Beijing, and Tianjin. The total length of operational roads in the city reaches 16,912.6 kilometers. The high-grade highway framework is formed by expressways such as Changshen (Changchun-Shenzhen), Rongwu (Rongcheng-Wuhai), Qingyin (Qingdao-Yinchuan), Binde (Binzhou-Dezhou), Jibindong (Jinan-Binzhou-Dongying), and the under-construction Qinbin (Qinhuangdao-Binzhou), along with national highways like G205 and G220 that traverse the area. The railway network, characterized as "three verticals, two horizontals, and one intercity line," consists of the Delongyan (Dezhou-Longkou-Yantai) passenger railway, Jiaji (Jiaozhou-Jinan) Railway, Jiqing (Jinan-Qingdao) High-Speed Railway, and the planned eastern line of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway and the Jibindong (Jinan-Binzhou-Dongying) Intercity Railway. The city is equipped with a Class A1 large general aviation airport and the Binzhou Port, a national Class I open port.

6.1 Railway

• Jiqing High-Speed Railway, Deda (Dezhou-Dagang) Railway, Huangda (Huanghua-Dagang) Railway, Bingang (Binzhou-Port) Railway, Bogang (Boxing-Port) Railway, Zouping Freight Railway Special Line, Beihai Railway Special Line
• Under Construction: Jibin (Jinan-Binzhou) High-Speed Railway, Second Channel of Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, Debin (Dezhou-Binzhou) High-Speed Railway, Bohai Rim High-Speed Railway, Binzi (Binzhou-Zibo) High-Speed Railway, Huji to Lize Special Line

6.2 Aviation

6.2.1 Airport

Dagao General Aviation Airport

6.2.2 Aviation Industry

• Dagao Aviation City
• Bin-Aircraft

6.3 Highway

6.3.1 Expressway

• G0111 Qinbin Expressway (Qinhuangdao–Binzhou), G18 Rongwu Expressway (Rongcheng–Wuhai), G20 Qingyin Expressway (Qingdao–Yinchuan), G22 Qinglan Expressway (Qingdao–Lanzhou), G25 Changshen Expressway (Changchun–Shenzhen), G2516 Donglü Expressway (Dongying–Lüliang)
• S12 Shouwu Expressway (Binzhou–Dezhou), S29 Bintai Expressway (Binzhou–Jinan)
• Under Construction: Zhanhua to Linyi Expressway, Jinan to Gaoqing Expressway

6.3.2 National Highway

• G205, G220, G233, G308, G309, G339, G340, G516.

6.3.3 Provincial Highway

• S101, S228, S233, S234, S235, S236, S239, S309, S315, S316, S511, S519.

6.4 Water Transport

6.4.1 Maritime Shipping

• Binzhou Port

6.4.2 Inland Waterway Shipping

• Xiaoqing River
• Tuhai River

6.5 Bridges

Binzhou Yellow River Bridge, Binzhou Fourth Yellow River Bridge, Binzhou Yellow River Highway-Railway Bridge, Binzhou Yellow River Pontoon Bridge, Qingtian Pontoon Bridge, Binlai Expressway Binzhou Yellow River Bridge, Zhanlin Expressway Binzhou Yellow River Bridge, Le'an Yellow River Highway Bridge

7. Education

7.1 Primary Schools

• Bincheng District: Experimental Primary School, Second Experimental Primary School, Binzhou University Affiliated Primary School, First Primary School, Second Primary School, Third Primary School, Fourth Primary School, Yifu Primary School, Sixth Primary School, Shoutian Yingcai Academy, Yulonghu Primary School, Lianhua Academy
• Zhanhua District: First Experimental Primary School, Second Experimental Primary School, Third Experimental Primary School
• Zouping City: Daixi Primary School, First Experimental Primary School, Second Experimental Primary School, Huangshan Experimental Primary School, Gaoxin Primary School, Kaiyuan Primary School, Liangzou Primary School, Third Primary School of Development Zone
• Boxing County: Experimental Primary School, First Primary School, Le'an Experimental School (Primary Section), Third Primary School, Fourth Primary School, Fifth Primary School, Bo'ao School (Primary Section), Fourth Middle School (Primary Section)
• Huimin County: First Experimental School (Primary Section), Second Experimental School (Primary Section), Third Experimental School (Primary Section), Sunwu Subdistrict Central Primary School, First Experimental School Chayuan Street Campus (Primary Section)
• Wudi County: First Experimental Primary School, Second Experimental Primary School, Third Experimental Primary School, Fourth Experimental Primary School, Difeng Subdistrict Mingde Primary School, Dizhou Xixian School (Primary Section)
• Yangxin County: Experimental Primary School, Second Experimental Primary School, First Experimental School (Primary Section), Third Experimental Primary School, Yuyou School (Primary Section), Second Experimental School (Primary Section), Binzhou Foreign Language Experimental School (Primary Section)

7.2 Middle Schools

• Bincheng District: Beizhen Middle School, Binzhou Experimental School, First Middle School, Third Middle School, Fourth Middle School, Fifth Middle School, Sixth Middle School, Eighth Middle School, Xingzhi Middle School, Capital Normal University Affiliated Binzhou Middle School
• Zhanhua District: First Experimental School, Second Experimental School (Junior High Section)
• Zouping City: Daixi Middle School, Huangshan Experimental Junior High School, Liangzou Experimental Junior High School, Experimental Middle School, Development Zone Experimental School (Junior High Section), Zouping Bilingual School (Junior High Section)
• Boxing County: First Middle School, Second Middle School, Third Middle School, Experimental Middle School, Le'an Experimental School (Junior High Section), Fourth Middle School, Fifth Middle School, Sixth Middle School, Seventh Middle School, Bo'ao School (Junior High Section)
• Huimin County: Experimental Middle School, Second Experimental Middle School, Sunwu Subdistrict Middle School
• Wudi County: First Junior High School, Second Junior High School, Third Junior High School
• Yangxin County: Experimental Middle School, Second Experimental Middle School, First Experimental School (Junior High Section), Third Experimental Middle School, Yuyou School (Junior High Section), Second Experimental School (Junior High Section), Xingfu Middle School, Binzhou Foreign Language Experimental School (Junior High Section), Lubei Yingcai School

7.3 Higher Education Institutions

• Binzhou University
• Binzhou Medical University Binzhou Campus / (Under Planning) Shandong Second Medical University Binzhou Campus
• (Under Construction) Shandong First Medical University Binzhou Campus
• Binzhou Vocational College
• Binzhou Technical College
• Binzhou Technician College
• (Under Construction) Bohai University of Science and Technology

8. Population

At the end of 2022, the resident population of Binzhou City was 3.9186 million.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's resident population was 3,928,568. Compared with the 3,748,474 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 180,094 people over the ten-year period, representing a growth of 4.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.47%. Among them, the male population was 1,990,298, accounting for 50.66% of the total population; the female population was 1,938,270, accounting for 49.34% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 102.68. The population aged 0–14 was 711,642, accounting for 18.11% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 2,362,056, accounting for 60.13% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 854,870, accounting for 21.76% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 627,914, accounting for 15.98% of the total population. The urban population was 2,343,282, accounting for 59.65% of the total population; the rural population was 1,585,286, accounting for 40.35% of the total population.

9. Religion

9.1 Buddhism

• Xingguo Temple
• Zhangba Buddha
• Dajue Temple
• Yufo Temple (Jade Buddha Temple)
• Tianwang Temple
• Longquan Temple
• Liquan Temple
• Tangli Nunnery
• Yusheng Nunnery
• Qinghe Hall
• Unnamed Temple (Zouping)

9.2 Taoism

• Bixia Yuanjun Shrine
• Bixia Palace
• Taishan Xinggong Temple
• Pingzi Nunnery
• Qingxuan Taoist Temple
• Changsheng Taoist Temple

9.3 Islam

• North Liu Temple Mosque
• South Liu Temple Mosque
• Wuying Mosque
• Huimin Mosque
• Binzhou Mosque

9.4 Catholicism

• Xiaoliu Catholic Church

• Qin Dong Jiang Catholic Church

• Gaomiao Li Catholic Church

• Yan Ma Catholic Church

• Futian Catholic Church

• Dong Yang Catholic Church

• Taiping Catholic Church

• Xigao Catholic Church

• Liuzhai Catholic Church

• Kuishan Catholic Church

• Guanyao Catholic Church

• Xiaoying Catholic Church

• Jianglou Catholic Church

• Qiu Li Catholic Church

• Zhang Hao Catholic Church

• Pozhuang Catholic Church

• Bishop Gao Kexian

• Bishop Li Mingshu

9.5 Protestant Christianity

• Fanji Hongwen Church
• Hongwen Middle School
• Hongji Hospital
• Zouping Baptist Diocese
• Beizhen Baptist Diocese

10. Culture

Binzhou is known as the "Key Town of Nine Dynasties in Qilu" and the "Millennium-Old Cultural City," serving as one of the birthplaces of the Yellow River culture and the Qi culture. Through historical accumulation and inheritance, it has developed and passed down distinctive cultural brands such as military strategy culture, filial piety culture, salt culture, family tradition culture, and grass-willow weaving culture. Binzhou is the birthplace of traditional operas like Lüju, Dencheng, Yugu Opera, and Eastern Road Bangzi. Huimin clay sculpture, woodblock New Year paintings, the Huji Lantern Festival Book Fair, and Binzhou folk paper-cutting are representative of the region's folk culture. Local opera artists in Binzhou have created outstanding works such as the Lüju opera "Pear Blossom Rain" and the Peking opera "You Baichuan," with three works representing Shandong Province in the National Ethnic Minority Art Performance and winning awards. The city boasts nine national-level intangible cultural heritage projects and 35 provincial-level projects. Four towns have been designated as "Shandong Folk Culture and Art Towns" and "Chinese Folk Culture and Art Towns." There is one municipal radio station, one television station, and seven county-level radio and television stations, achieving 100% radio and television coverage. The city is home to over 300 cultural associations for calligraphy, painting, photography, and collecting, more than 500 amateur art troupes, and 113 large-scale cultural enterprises.

• Lüju
• Binzhou Grand Theatre
• State of Qi

11. Sister Cities

• Kinokawa City (Japan), Goyang City (South Korea), Imsil County (South Korea), Rennes (France), Saverne (France), Orizaba (Mexico)
• Zouping County: Oguni Town (Japan)
• Huimin County: Ilsandong-gu, Goyang City (South Korea), Hyojadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (South Korea)
• Zhanhua County: Deogyang-gu, Goyang City (South Korea)
• Wudi County: City of Riston (Australia)
• Bincheng District: Teshikaga Town, Kawakami District, Hokkaido (Japan)

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Named after its location on the shores of the Bohai Sea

Bincheng District

Bincheng District

The Han population accounts for 99.19%; the various ethnic minority populations account for 0.81%.

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