Suining (遂宁)

1. Introduction

Suining City (Sichuan dialect pinyin: Xu4lin2; IPA: [ɕy24nin21]) is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China, located in the eastern part of Sichuan. The city borders Guang'an and Nanchong to the east, Mianyang to the north, Deyang to the west, and Ziyang and Chongqing Municipality to the south. Situated in the hilly region of the central Sichuan Basin, the Fujiang River flows from north to south through the city, converging with tributaries such as the Zijiang, Pengxi River, and Qijiang. The city covers a total area of 5,322 square kilometers, with a population of 3.29 million. The municipal government is located in Chuanshan District. Suining is an important base for the textile and food industries in the province and has long been known as the "Great City of Eastern Sichuan" and the "Key Town of Central Sichuan." It is also said that during the Later Tang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period, the city walls built here resembled an ancient dou (a measuring container), hence Suining is also nicknamed "Doucheng" (Container City).

2. Origin of the Name

The name "Suining" as a place name originated during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The Eastern Jin coexisted with the Sixteen Kingdoms, and Suining belonged to the Cheng-Han Kingdom among them. At that time, rulers of various states were embroiled in continuous warfare, and within the Cheng-Han Kingdom, internal struggles for power and succession were relentless, causing immense suffering among the people. In the third year of the Yonghe era (347 AD), the Eastern Jin general Huan Wen led an expedition to Shu, decisively defeated Li Shi, the remnant forces of Li Xiong, and destroyed the Cheng-Han Kingdom, ending over 50 years of turmoil in Sichuan. As Huan Wen triumphantly passed through the county, he was greeted by gentle breezes, warm sunshine, singing, dancing, and an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. This general, who had spent years on the battlefield, was deeply moved, and a sense of weariness toward war and a longing for peace welled up within him. Thus, he established a commandery here and named it "Suining," meaning "to quell chaos and achieve peace." From then on, this red-soiled land in the hills of central Sichuan was blessed with an auspicious name—"Suining."

3. Suining During the Ancient Ba and Shu States Period

Suining has a long history. Preliminary tests on human skull fossils collected from the southern part of Ma'anshan in Renhe Town, Shehong County, indicate that human activities existed in Suining at least 10,000 years ago. During the Xia and Shang dynasties, the country was divided into nine provinces, and the territory of Suining County (referring to the present-day Chuanshan District and Anju District of Suining City, as well as Tongnan County in Chongqing Municipality) was under the jurisdiction of Liangzhou.

In the early years of the Spring and Autumn period, two slave states, Ba and Shu, emerged within the territory of present-day Sichuan. The area of Suining County was under the jurisdiction of the Shu State. After the unification by the Qin Dynasty, it came under the administration of Shu Commandery. In the late Eastern Han Dynasty (220 AD), Deyang County was established, with its seat located in what is now the urban area, marking the beginning of county-level administration in the region. In the late Western Jin Dynasty (around 303 AD), the refugee Li Xiong led an uprising and established the Cheng Han state, establishing Deyang Commandery, which governed Deyang County. Both the commandery and county seats remained in the present-day urban area, marking the beginning of commandery-level administration in the region.

3.1 Evolution of Administrative Divisions

Throughout the vicissitudes of history, the name "Suining" has been used or changed, its administrative level has been elevated or lowered, and its jurisdiction has expanded or contracted. However, one thing has remained constant: regardless of the dynasty, Suining City has consistently served as the seat of commanderies, prefectures, subprefectures, and counties, reflecting the deep affection ancient people held for this land. Consequently, Suining became a crucial town in central Sichuan and a center for politics, economy, and culture.

From the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Song and Yuan periods, various administrative divisions were established or renamed within the present-day city area, including Shishan Commandery, Xiaoxi County, Fangyi County, Sui Subprefecture, the Sui Subprefecture Chief Office, the Sui Subprefecture Governor's Office, and the Wuxin Army Military Commissioner. The jurisdiction typically encompassed three to five counties. The period of greatest territorial extent was likely during the late Tang Dynasty when the Wuxin Army Military Commissioner, based in Sui Subprefecture, governed five subprefectures: Sui (Suining), Chang (Longchang), He (Hechuan), Yu (Chongqing), and Lu (Luzhou). Starting from the Ming Dynasty, Suining was downgraded from a subprefecture to a county, successively under the administration of Tongchuan Prefecture (present-day Santai County) and Jialing Circuit (present-day Nanchong City).

In 1935, the Nationalist government divided Sichuan into 18 Administrative Inspection Districts. The Twelfth Sichuan Administrative Inspection District was established in Suining, with an Inspectorate overseeing nine counties: Suining, Anyue, Zhongjiang, Santai, Shehong, Yanting, Pengxi, Tongnan, and Lezhi. Both the Inspectorate and county seats were located in the present-day urban area of the city. After the national liberation, the Suining Subdistrict of the Northern Sichuan Administrative Region was established. In 1952, it was renamed Suining Special District, still governing the aforementioned counties. In 1958, the special district was abolished, and Suining County was merged into Mianyang Special District.

In February 1985, with the approval of the State Council, Suining County was abolished and established as a provincial-administered city, governing the Central District (the former Suining County), Pengxi County, and Shehong County. In October 1997, with the approval of the State Council, the area west of the Fujiang River in Pengxi County was established as Daying County, with its seat in Penglai Town. Suining City thus administered one district and three counties: the Central District, Pengxi County, Daying County, and Shehong County. In December 2003, with the approval of the State Council, the Central District administrative region was divided to establish Chuanshan District and Anju District (with its seat in Anju Town). Since then, Suining has administered two districts and three counties: Chuanshan District, Anju District, Pengxi County, Daying County, and Shehong County.

Daying County was established from part of Pengxi County in 1997. In 2004, the former Central District of Suining City was abolished and divided into Chuanshan District and Anju District.

3. Geography

Suining City is located in the central part of the Sichuan Basin, in the middle reaches of the Fujiang River. It lies between 105°03′26″ and 106°59′49″ east longitude, and 30°10′50″ and 31°10′50″ north latitude. The city spans 90.3 kilometers from east to west and 108.9 kilometers from north to south, with a total area of 5,325 square kilometers. It borders Chongqing, Guang'an, and Nanchong to the east; connects with Chengdu to the west; adjoins Neijiang and Ziyang to the south; and is adjacent to Deyang and Mianyang to the north, forming an equidistant triangle with Chengdu and Chongqing. Historically, Suining was a political, economic, and cultural center in central Sichuan due to its profound cultural heritage, enchanting spiritual landscapes, and developed agriculture, industry, and commerce. It is particularly renowned for its textile and food industries and has long been known as the "Back Garden of Chengdu-Chongqing" and a "Key Town in Central Sichuan."

Meteorological Data for Suining City (1981–2010)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------|----------|----------|----------| | Record high (°C / °F) | 19.3 (66.7) | 22.9 (73.2) | 30.7 (87.3) | 34.7 (94.5) | 36.4 (97.5) | 36.4 (97.5) | 38.6 (101.5) | 40.3 (104.5) | 40.1 (104.2) | 31.5 (88.7) | 25.5 (77.9) | 17.8 (64.0) | 40.3 (104.5) | | Average high (°C / °F) | 9.7 (49.5) | 12.4 (54.3) | 17.1 (62.8) | 22.7 (72.9) | 27.1 (80.8) | 29.0 (84.2) | 31.6 (88.9) | 31.7 (89.1) | 27.0 (80.6) | 21.3 (70.3) | 16.5 (61.7) | 10.7 (51.3) | 21.4 (70.5) | | Daily mean (°C / °F) | 6.6 (43.9) | 8.9 (48.0) | 12.9 (55.2) | 17.9 (64.2) | 22.2 (72.0) | 24.6 (76.3) | 27.2 (81.0) | 26.9 (80.4) | 22.9 (73.2) | 17.8 (64.0) | 13.0 (55.4) | 7.9 (46.2) | 17.4 (63.3) | | Average low (°C / °F) | 4.3 (39.7) | 6.4 (43.5) | 9.7 (49.5) | 14.3 (57.7) | 18.5 (65.3) | 21.4 (70.5) | 23.8 (74.8) | 23.5 (74.3) | 20.1 (68.2) | 15.4 (59.7) | 10.6 (51.1) | 5.8 (42.4) | 14.5 (58.1) | | Record low (°C / °F) | -2.3 (27.9) | -2.1 (28.2) | -0.7 (30.7) | 4.8 (40.6) | 9.2 (48.6) | 13.8 (56.8) | 18.4 (65.1) | 17.0 (62.6) | 14.0 (57.2) | 2.9 (37.2) | 1.4 (34.5) | -3.4 (25.9) | -3.4 (25.9) | | Average precipitation (mm / inches) | 13.9 (0.55) | 16.1 (0.63) | 28.0 (1.10) | 55.0 (2.17) | 101.1 (3.98) | 150.0 (5.91) | 194.4 (7.65) | 158.8 (6.25) | 115.2 (4.54) | 59.1 (2.33) | 27.3 (1.07) | 14.1 (0.56) | 933 (36.74) | | Average precipitation days (≥0.1 mm) | 8.1 | 8.2 | 9.8 | 12.1 | 13.1 | 13.8 | 13.3 | 10.4 | 14.7 | 14.1 | 10.1 | 7.5 | 135.2 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 84 | 81 | 77 | 75 | 74 | 80 | 80 | 79 | 82 | 84 | 84 | 85 | 80 |

5. Administrative Divisions

Suining City administers 2 municipal districts, 2 counties, and has jurisdiction over 1 county-level city.

• Municipal Districts: Chuanshan District, Anju District
• County-level City: Shehong City
• Counties: Pengxi County, Daying County

Additionally, Suining City has established the following economic functional zones: National Suining Economic and Technological Development Zone, Suining Innovation Industrial Park, Hedong New Area, Jinqiao New Area.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (sq km) | Permanent Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|---------------------|------------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 510900 | Suining City | Suìníng Shì | 5,322.18 | 2,814,196 | Chuanshan District | 629000 | 20 | 72 | 3 | | 510903 | Chuanshan District | Chuánshān Qū | 615.99 | 832,863 | Kaixuanlu Subdistrict | 629000 | 14 | 9 | 1 | | 510904 | Anju District | Ānjū Qū | 1,257.58 | 431,310 | Fenghuang Subdistrict | 629000 | 2 | 16 | | | 510921 | Pengxi County | Péngxī Xiàn | 1,251.49 | 430,344 | Pu'an Subdistrict | 629100 | 1 | 17 | 2 | | 510923 | Daying County | Dàyīng Xiàn | 701.06 | 387,299 | Yanjing Subdistrict | 629300 | 1 | 9 | | | 510981 | Shehong City | Shèhóng Shì | 1,496.06 | 732,380 | Taihe Subdistrict | 629200 | 2 | 21 | |

6. Economy

Suining holds a comparative advantage in industries such as chemicals, food, textiles, and machinery. It ranks second in Sichuan Province for the number of listed companies.

Listed companies include: Tuopai Qujiu (SHA: 600702), Sichuan Meifeng (SHE: 000731), Huafang Co., Ltd. (SHE: 600448), Mingxing Electric Power (SHA: 600101), Gaojin Food (SHE: 002143), China Resources Jin Hua (SHE: 000810), and Tianqi Lithium (SHE: 002466).

7. Transportation

• Suining Airport

7.1 Railway

• Dazhou-Chengdu Railway
• Suining-Chengdu Railway
• Suining-Chongqing Railway
• Mianyang-Suining-Neijiang-Zigong-Yibei Intercity Passenger Dedicated Railway (Planned)
• Suining Section of the Neijiang-Kunming Railway (Planned)
• Chengdu-Dazhou-Wanzhou High-Speed Railway (Under Construction)
• Suining-Chongqing Intercity Passenger Dedicated Line (Planned)

According to the Ministry of Railways' "China's Medium and Long-Term Railway Network Plan," to meet the rapidly growing passenger transport demand and establish rapid passenger transport channels between provincial capitals and major cities, the plan outlines a "Four Vertical and Four Horizontal" railway rapid passenger transport corridor and three intercity rapid passenger transport systems. Suining will be an important transit point on the Nanjing-Wuhan-Chongqing-Chengdu Passenger Dedicated Line, connecting Southwest and East China. Simultaneously, following the principle of separating passenger and freight lines, Suining will also be a key transit point on the Nanjing-Wuhan-Chongqing-Chengdou double-stack container transport corridor. The plan aims to improve the railway network layout and develop new lines in western China, primarily expanding the western network scale to form the backbone of the western railway network. After 2010, the new Lanzhou-Chongqing line will be constructed, passing through Jiuzhaigou, Mianyang, and Suining to Chongqing. If efforts succeed in extending the Neijiang-Kunming Railway and building the Suining-Neijiang Railway, it will undoubtedly solidify Suining's role as a railway hub in Sichuan, further highlighting its locational advantages, improving the investment environment, and promising superior prospects for economic and social development.

7.2 Highway

• National Highway 318, * National Highway 319, * National Highway 247 (formerly * Provincial Highway 205), National Highway 350
• Provincial Highway 106, * Provincial Highway 206, * Provincial Highway 304
• G93 Mianyang-Suining Expressway
• G75 Chengdu-Nanchong Expressway
• G93 Suining-Chongqing Expressway
• Suining-Neijiang Expressway
• Suining-Huining Expressway
• G8515 Suining-Guang'an Expressway
• S29 Suining-Xichong Expressway
• Suining-Hongya Expressway
• Suining-Zhongjiang Expressway (Under Construction)
• Suining-Jianyang Expressway (Planned)

8. Education

Sichuan Vocational and Technical College is the first institution of higher education in Suining City, offering specialized higher education at the college level. Additionally, the Rural Revitalization College of Sichuan Normal University is also located in Suining City and is scheduled to begin enrollment and operations in 2023.

9. Population

At the end of 2023, the city's permanent resident population was 2.748 million. This was a decrease of 24,000 people compared to the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban population was 1.6428 million, and the rural population was 1.1052 million. The urbanization rate of the permanent resident population in urban areas was 59.78%, an increase of 1.1 percentage points from the end of the previous year.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 2,814,196. Compared with the 3,252,619 people from the Sixth National Population Census, this represents a decrease of 438,423 people over ten years, a decline of 13.48%, with an average annual growth rate of -1.44%. Among them, the male population was 1,427,876, accounting for 50.74% of the total population; the female population was 1,386,320, accounting for 49.26% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 103. The population aged 0-14 was 436,776, accounting for 15.52% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 1,668,545, accounting for 59.29% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 708,875, accounting for 25.19% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 558,522, accounting for 19.85% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 1,612,641, accounting for 57.3% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 1,201,555, accounting for 42.7% of the total population.

9.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic population was 2,801,560, accounting for 99.55%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 12,636, accounting for 0.45%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic population decreased by 448,139 people, a decline of 13.79%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.36 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 9,716 people, an increase of 332.74%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.36 percentage points.

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Named after the meaning of "thus achieving peace and tranquility."

Chuanshan District

Chuanshan District

The Han population accounts for 99.55%; ethnic minority populations account for 0.45%.

Huangjue tree

Osmanthus