In 1982, the State Council released the first list of historical and cultural cities in the country. Shaoxing was on the list. Since the reform and opening up, Shaoxing has ranked as one of the best counties in the country in terms of overall economic and social strengths despite the lack of natural resources and investment from the state government. It is believed that the unique regional culture and the unique local spirit that grew out of the culture have played a tremendous role in Shaoxing’s economic takeoff.

The following are the important aspects of the regional culture:

Innovative and fighting spirit is embodied in the water control endeavors. Geographically, Shaoxing is high in south and low in the north. In order to survive the inclement elements, local people have been trying to control water over millennia. The efforts have been made in the last fifty years to reclaim land on a large scale in the 1970s, construct standard sea embankments in the 1990s and turn the tidal flats into farming lands early this century.

Numerous historical personages in Shaoxing over centuries exemplify the spirit of keeping pace with the times and exploring new ways for a better future. Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, once commented on Shaoxing in one of his poems that Shaoxing abounds with historical personages. Historical personages are the most significant hallmark of the local culture in Shaoxing. Historical annals record numerous leading personages from Shaoxing who bravely explored new ways for the national rejuvenation and the country’s prosperity. They were pioneers of new thoughts for China in the fields of politics, economy and culture. These great personages have helped form the spirit of keeping pace with the times and pushing forward for a better future. This spirit has become part of the local culture and important aspect of the local image. This spirit has inspired local people one generation after another to work toward a better future.

The rapid growth and remarkable achievements of the local textile industry best represents the local spirit that pushes the local people to keep trying and keep improving. The founding of the New China witnessed periods of economic recovery, development and stagnancy. The local textile industry has been on the right track of rejuvenation since the reform and opening up. The textile marketplace has dominated Asia while trade information radiates out to all over the world. The strategic objective for the latest phase of development is to build Shaoxing into an international textile manufacturing and trade center. The history of textile industry’s development in Shaoxing embodies the spirit of the Shaoxing people: hold fast to ambition, keep trying, and keep improving.

Shaoxing’s wine brewing industry reflects another important aspect of the local culture: keeping an unassuming appearance but working hard with an iron determination, keeping a low profile while trying hard to score a breakthrough. Shaoxing is home to the rice wine in China. The history of wine making dates back to immemorial times. Wine is an important part of daily life of local people. Wine culture has generated numerous couplets, riddles, dances, and music pieces, which are incomparable anywhere else. The most conspicuous feature of the yellow wine produced in Shaoxing is that the longer it takes the wine to mature, the more palatable the wine is. The wine is tender, gentle and rich in taste, but its aftereffect is strong. Intoxicated with the wine culture, enterprising local people are down-to-earth and tend to keep a low profile while working hard to realize their dreams. Exactly like the wine that breeds them: top-flight achievers in a deceptively soft look.