Guangdong Market Opportunities - Urban Economies with Various Characteristics

Zhongshan City

Zhongshan is advantageously located in the south central part of the Pearl River Delta, being adjacent to Guangzhou on the north and Hong Kong and Macao on the south. The city covers an area of 1,800 square kilometers and its population is 1.35 million. It has become one of the most dynamic and competitive cities in South China.

1. General Survey of Economic Development

Zhongshan’s economy has been developing very fast. In 2003, its GDP reached RMB 49,710 billion, making an increase of 17.8% compared with last year, ranking third in the province in terms of its grow rate. The total import and export value was US$ 13.13 billion, up 40.6% compared with the same period of last year. Among which, the export value was US$ 8.25 billion, up 44.2%. The contractual use of foreign investment stood at US$ 1.02 billion, registering an increase of 8.1%. The actual use of foreign investment was US$ 770 million, up 20.6%.

2. Unique Advantages and Development Characteristics

(1) More emphasis is laid on the construction of investment environment. Starting from a high-standard point, Zhongshan has been undertaking its infrastructure and complete engineering construction. By now, a triangle of ports has taken shape with Xiaolan Port in the north, Zhongshan Port in the middle and Shenwan Port in the southwest. The handling capacity of its international-standard containers has now ranked the 9th among all the cities of China. With the completion of more than 50 pivotal and functional infrastructure constructions, the handling capacity will further improved.
(2) Regional special economies have been developing on large scale. Regional specific economy with towns as the backbone is developing at rather large scale. The regional brands like electronic information of Torch Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, metal ware of Xiaolan, lamps of Guzhen, casual wear of Shaxi, household electronic appliances of Dongfeng, food of Huangpu, red wood furniture and jeans of Dachong, have been well-known all over the world.
(3) The auxiliary and conglomeration role of advantageous industries is becoming increasingly obvious. The city makes efforts to set up investment promotion organs. Over 20 industrial zones, such as Torch Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, private technological park, State Health Pharmaceutical Industrial Base, and State Packing Industrial Base, State Meticulous Chemical Industrial Base in lead, have absorbed many investors to make their investment here. The auxiliary and conglomeration role of these advantageous industries such IT, electronic appliances, light textile, automobile fittings and chemical is becoming increasingly obvious.