shih (municipality), T'ao-yüan hsien (county), northwestern Taiwan, about 5 miles (8 km) southwest of T'ao-yüan city, in the northern coastal uplands. Situated on the left (western) bank of Hsin-chieh River, Chung-li flourished in the late 17th century as the collecting centre for a fertile agricultural region of northern Taiwan that today produces rice, tea, and sweet potatoes. Sugar and rice milling and textile manufacturing are the major industries. Chung-li is connected to Taipei, Taiwan's capital, 21 miles (34 km) northeast, by the Chung-shan freeway and the West Line railway, which also connects the west-coast cities with the port of Kao-hsiung 200 miles (322 km) to the south. Chung-li is the seat of the National Central University (founded 1968) and Chung Yuan Christian University (1955). Pop. (1994 est.) 289,054.