China violin manufacturing base unveiled in Pinggu

The completion ceremony of the Violin Manufacturing Base of China, China's only and largest violin manufacturing base, was held on the morning of December 16 in Pinggu District, Beijing. Pinggu currently manufactures one-third of the world's violins and will create a "music capital" integrating production, research and development, consumption, exhibition, education and tourism.

The development of Pinggu's violin industry began in the 1980s. During that time, there were only several violin workshops which could only produce simple parts. After more than 20 years of rapid development, previous workshops have now evolved into a musical instrument manufacturing park integrating production, marketing and tourism. Currently, Pinggu is popular among Chinese and foreign professionals and the violins made here account for one-third of the world's total. In 2008, Pinggu manufactured nearly 300,000 musical instruments, with an output value of 350 million yuan, accounting for 30 percent of Pinggu's total industrial output value. Meanwhile, Pinggu's musical instrument sector reaped an operating revenue of 300 million yuan and a profit of 25 million yuan. Furthermore, Pinggu's musical instrument makers paid taxes of 20 million yuan. In September 2009, the China National Light Industry Council (CNLIC) endorsed Pinggu as the "Violin Manufacturing Base of China." Currently, Pinggu's violin industry has been included in the development plan for Beijing's key cultural and creative industries.

Reporters learned that the Violin Manufacturing Base of China covers an area of 1000 mu, with a building area of 400,000 square meters. So far, more than 20 key musical instrument enterprises including Beijing Huadong Musical Instrument Company, Beijing Chang'an Musical Instrument Company and Beijing Qianqiuye Musical Instrument Company, as well as 150 workshops specializing in musical instrument parts, have settled in. They can manufacture more than 30 types of products including cellos, violins, electric violins, electric cellos, basses, brass-wind instruments, percussion instruments, two-stringed Chinese fiddles, guitars and musical instrument cases. At present, the total assets of the enterprises in the base have reached 250 million yuan, accounting for 20 percent of Donggaocun Town's total industrial assets.

It is estimated that the base will become the largest violin manufacturing base in the world by 2020. A total of 60 enterprises will move in. These enterprises will employ more than 10,000 professionals, and make 500,000 musical instruments and 1 million cases a year, accounting for 50 percent of the world's total.

Translated by LOTO