Nanning

Nanning (also Nan-ning or Yung-ning), city, southern China, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The city is an industrial and transportation center situated on the Yong River in a rich agricultural region near Vietnam. It is in addition the cultural and educational center for the Zhuang ethnic minority. Major manufactures include iron and steel, aluminum, processed food (especially sugar), fertilizers, and machinery.

Located in an area under tenuous Chinese control from the 4th century ad, Nanning was founded as a walled city under the Song dynasty (960-1279). It was opened to foreign trade in 1907 and during 1912-36 replaced Guilin as the capital of Guangxi Province. Japanese forces occupied the city in 1940 and again during 1944-45. It was restored as the provincial capital in 1949, continuing as the capital when Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was created in 1958. The city was developed as an industrial center after 1949 and was an important supply base for Vietnamese insurgents during the Indochina and Vietnam wars. Population (2005 estimate) 2,450,000.