Benxi is a prefecture-level city located in the eastern part of Liaoning province, China. Situated southeast of the provincial capital, Shenyang, the city serves as a significant industrial hub within the region. As of the 2020 census, Benxi had a total population of 1,326,018, with over 800,000 residents living within its three urban districts.
The city was established in 1915 as a metallurgical center. Its economy is primarily driven by heavy industry, specifically steel production and coal mining. The Benxi Iron and Steel Company (Bengang) is the city's largest employer and formerly ranked as the fourth-largest steel company in China. Due to these primary industrial activities, the city faces notable environmental challenges regarding pollution from both coal mining and steel manufacturing.