city, southern Liaoning sheng (province), northeastern China. It is situated in the south-central part of the Liaodong Peninsula and is an important market centre for an agricultural and fruit-growing area that specializes in apples, pears, and grapes. It has developed industries producing various industrial chemicals as well as fertilizers and insecticides. Its engineering sector is renowned for the quality of its bearings. Wafangdian is also a major salt producer in the province, and there are rich diamond deposits in the area. The city is connected by railway and expressway with Dalian to the southwest and Shenyang (Mukden) to the northeast. Pop. (2002 est.) 318,779.