Driving forward modern industrial development

With the approval of the provincial government of Guangdong, Zhuhai recently began implementing a plan to develop its western new area.

The plan, which is expected to be completed by 2030, will accelerate the development of a modern industrial system and turn the city into a core base for advanced equipment manufacturing in the province.

According to the plan, the western area, which consists of Gaolan Port Economic Zone and the districts of Jinwan and Doumen, will be a base for advanced manufacturing, aviation and harbor-related industries, high-tech industries, modern services and eco-agriculture.

The plan seeks to encourage the development of manufacturing sectors such as marine engineering equipment, aviation equipment, yacht and shipbuilding, rail transport equipment, smart equipment, medical appliances, IT, new-energy automobiles, new materials, fine chemicals, the utilization of marine resources and seawater, and marine bio-medicine.

It also encourages such service industries as logistics, exhibitions and conventions, commerce, leisure and healthcare, eco-agriculture and modern fishery services.

"The plan is based on the nation's strategies of Internet Plus, China Manufacturing 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as Zhuhai's own economic and ecological development strategies," said Zhong Weiguo, an official with Guangdong Industrial Development Research Academy.

"It will definitely push forward the city's modern industrial development."

The government of Zhuhai proposed the plan in 2012 as it seeks to become a regional industrial services hub, a world-class manufacturing base for marine engineering equipment, and a globally leading industrial base for advanced general aviation and household appliances, as well as a preferred destination for international business events and tourism by 2020.

Modern industries

The advanced manufacturing industry, mainly based in the Gaolan Port Economic Zone and Fushan Industrial Park in Doumen district and Sanzao Aviation Industrial Park in Jinwan district, covers major sectors such as shipbuilding and ocean engineering equipment production, aviation and aerospace equipment, rail transit equipment, new-energy automobiles, electrical equipment, and intelligent manufacturing equipment.

The sector is expected to take shape in 2017 with its industrial output value expected to be around 300 billion yuan ($46.5 billion). The industrial output value target for 2020 is 550 billion yuan; and for 2025, 750 billion yuan.

The figure was 140.15 billion yuan in 2014 and the estimated figure for this year is 190 billion yuan.

The high-tech industry, primarily based in Zhuhai High-Tech Development Zone, focuses on software, integrated circuit design, the smart grid, the Internet of Things, bio-pharmaceuticals, new materials, 3-D printing and the mobile Internet.

The high-end service industry, mainly based in the Hengqin New Area, highlights tourism, financial services, conferences and exhibitions, cultural industries, logistics and technology services.

The marine economy and ecological agriculture, which include green energy, island resorts and water sports, modern agriculture and agro tourism will also be promoted.

To date, Zhuhai's advanced manufacturing sector alone has attracted such industrial heavyweights such as Fluor Corp, Ferretti Group, MTU Maintenance, Wartsila, ABB, Zoomlion, CNOOC and China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Corp, together with Gree, the world's largest air-conditioner maker.

Official statistics indicate that the city's advanced manufacturing sector produced a gross profit of 37.35 billion yuan in the first quarter of this year, accounting for 50.7 percent of the city's total.

The city currently has 397 enterprises officially recognized as high-tech firms, compared with 196 at the end of 2010.

Its GDP is expected to surpass 200 billion yuan this year, with a growth rate topping any other city in the province and defying the nation's slowdown. And its per capita GDP is expected to surpass $20,000, ranking third in the province after Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

(China Daily 12/17/2015 page6)