Fuzhou, << foo joh >> (pop. 3,500,000), also spelled Foo-chow or Fu-chou, is the capital of Fujian Province in China. The city lies on the Min River, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the river’s mouth. Fuzhou was once a center of tea and camphor trade. In 1842, it became a “treaty port” in which the United Kingdom gained special trading rights (see China (Clash with the Western powers)). Fuzhou lost importance as a trading center in the late 1800’s. Japanese troops occupied the city several times during World War II (1939-1945). Fuzhou is famous for its fine lacquerware. The city’s products also include industrial chemicals and electronic products.
