Daqing (in Chinese: 大庆; pinyin: Dàqìng; historically romanized as Taching) is a city in northeastern Heilongjiang province, in the northeast of China. It is administered as a prefecture-level city, an authority level that sits under a province and above a county in China’s administrative hierarchy.
Economic significance
The area is best known for its oil resources. The discovery of the Daqing Oil Field in 1959 transformed the locality into a major center for petroleum extraction and processing, earning Daqing the informal title "Oil Capital of China." The oil industry has been the principal driver of the city's growth and its economic identity.
Population
According to the 2010 national census, Daqing had a total population of 2,963,458. Of these, about 1.4 million people lived in the city's urban districts. More recent population estimates vary, so official census figures should be consulted for up-to-date counts.
Administration and role
- Location: part of Heilongjiang province in northeastern China.
- Administrative status: a prefecture-level city, which governs a set of districts and counties and reports to the provincial authorities.
- Economic role: a regional hub centered on oil production and related industries.