Koreans constitute one of the largest ethnic minorities in China, with over two million based in the northeastern provinces of Jilin, Liaonign and Heilongjiang. Nearly half live in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture (Jilin Province), founded on 3 September 1952.
The transformation wrought by half a century has been dramatic. Yanbian has moved from a rice-based economy to a relatively high level of industrialization, reflected in the Prefecture's urbanization rate of 78%. On the other hand, Yanbian has become a surplus area of grain and other agricultural products in recent years. The Prefecture specializes in high value farming and is China's principal producer of ginseng. Yanbian has begun to exploit its natural resources, including minerals and hydropower.
Human resources are another strength. Yanbian boasts two universities and one of the highest per capita rates of college graduates in China. The area has attracted a considerable amount of foreign investment during the last ten years, particularly from ROK.
The 50the anniversary promises to be a colorful event, with festivities starting in mid-August. First on the programme is the Tumen River International Culture Week, with performing artists from the Korean peninsula, Russian, Mongolia and Japan. The main festival will begin on 2 September with a Northeast China sports tournament and an outdoor food market in the evening. The Yanbian Korean Customs and Culture Tourism Holiday will follow, with dancing, flowers and parades in the streets, a singing competition, an international football match, a fashion show, and tours to Mt. Changbai/Paekdu and the border areas of DPRK and Russia.
For further information, please contact the Tumen River Area Development Office of the Yanbian prefectural government,

tel: (86-433) 282 9371, fax: (86-433) 283 7926.