The first batch of industrialized extraction equipment and systems, which went into operation last month, are chiefly concentrated in the treatment of tea and some medicinal herbs. Local officials say the product will basically meet the domestic demand.

It is a rising business to extract useful materials in vegetables by physical and chemical means, and the extracts are used in the production of foodstuffs and medicines, or as raw materials for other industrial products.

Wuhu is a traffic hub along the Yangtze River, China's longest, with highly developed water, road and railway transport infrastructure. It has rich vegetation resources like tea and medicinal herbs.

The city is close to Shanghai, China's largest industrial and commercial center, and Nanjing, capital of neighboring Jiangsu Province. The two cities have a developed fine chemical industry and techniques, which are necessary to develop the extraction industry.

(People's Daily 07/02/2001)