It’s been 100 years since Dalian City was founded in September,1899. For the past century, especially since the People’s Republic of China was founded 50 years ago, the people of Dalian, under the leadership of the Party and the government, have developed Dalian from a fishing village into a major seaport and center of industry, trade and tourism.

   Dalian sits on the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, facing the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea. It serves as a bridge between northeastern China and the rest of the world. Seeing this vibrant city today, it is hard to imagine that a total of 47 years of occupation by imperialist powers ended only a little over half a century ago. Bullied and exploited by the colonialists, the people of Dalian struggled and fought strenuously against them until August, 1945, when the city returned to Chinese control; it was one of the first cities liberated before the founding of the People’s Republic. The citizens of Dalian have since made enormous contributions to the War of Liberation (1945-1949), the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and to Aid Korea (1950-1953), and socialist construction.

   Since 1978, when China kicked off its opening-up and reform program, Dalian has been speeding up its development at an unprecedented pace. Long known for its maritime transportation, trade, shipbuilding, manufacture of diesel locomotives, and fishing industry, Dalian was one of the first coastal cities opened to the outside world. It ranks as China’s 8th city in terms of comprehensive strength, and the country’s first-class cities. It was the first to be officially recognized as a Clean City and a Tourist, City of China. In addition, Dalian has received such meritorious names as the City of Garden, City of Fashion, City of Soccer and Home of Track and Field.

   "Going through the hardships in the past 100 years, the Northern Pearl looks even brighter." So wrote President Jiang Zemin to mark Dalian’s centennial celebrations. His words not only summarize the history of Dalian, But also point out its future. The local people are poised to embrace the challenges and hopes of a new millennium!