Yancheng has a history of 2,100 years since the first canton was founded here in the
Han dynasty at the year 119 BC. It was named for the salt reserves in rivers around the area, its name literally meaning "Salt City". In later years, the city was the home of
Fan Zhongyan, the 12th century statesman and
Shi Nai'an, the reputed author of famous novels. Yancheng was in the limelight during the
Chinese Civil War from the 1930s to 1940s. The
New Fourth Army led by the
Chinese Communist Party was reestablished in Yancheng after being ambushed and battered by the enemy. After the revival, the Army played a very important role in the war and finally the foundation of the
People's Republic of China. Many monuments in honor of these heroes can still be found around Yancheng. or pesticides. Tianjiayi Chemical had previously been penalized six times for infractions of pollution and waste management laws, and
China Daily reported fines over safety issues. According to the
South China Morning Post, this plant paid bribes, paid journalists and local officials so this chemical plant could remain open without any negative publicity or reasons to shut down. On 27 November 2007, an explosion occurred in one of the chemical factories in Chenjiagang Chemical Zone (陈家港生态化工园区), with seven killed and around 50 injured. On 23 November 2010, more than thirty were poisoned by a toxic gas release. In the early morning of 11 February 2011, rumors of toxic chemical release and potential imminent explosions in the Chenjiagang Chemical Industry Park led over ten thousand residents to evacuate in panic from the towns of Chenjiagang and Shuanggang (双港镇) during which four people died and many were injured. On the afternoon of May 18 and again on July 26, 2011, there were explosions at local factories. ==Geography==