Guangzhou, HK spur plan for smart zone

Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, along with Hong Kong have formulated an implementation plan for the construction of an intelligent manufacturing cooperation zone.

According to the Guangzhou Development District government, the proposed zone will aim to enhance industrial and legal cooperation with Hong Kong.

The zone will be divided into three sections of smart manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation and community.

According to the plan, the zone's smart manufacturing will accelerate joint development with Hong Kong's advanced industries such as industrial design, shipping and logistics, and financial services by 2022.

Also, a number of demonstration projects and cross-border service platforms will be launched for smart manufacturing, according to the plan.

By 2035, the zone will establish rules in line with Hong Kong and international standards, developing a smart industrial cluster with output worth of 100 billion yuan ($15.46 billion).

Covering a total area of 56.39 square kilometers, the zone, located in the western part of the Guangzhou Development District, will promote the development of manufacturing and further integration with Hong Kong's productive services, new-generation information technology, high-end equipment manufacturing and other new pillar industries.

A number of Hong Kong-based high-tech businesses have settled in the zone since construction of the zone started in May 2019.

In order to provide a more convenient living environment for talented young professionals of Hong Kong and Macao, a community section has been included in the zone, with supporting facilities such as 5G applications, smart medical care, and smart transportation.

Policies to enable Hong Kong and Macao residents to purchase local apartments will be introduced in the zone, according to the plan.

A large business and commercial port, including an entry-exit building, a marina and a helicopter terminal are under construction in the zone.

The helicopter terminal, which facilitates a half-hour trip among Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macao, has started trial operations.

At present, the Guangzhou Development District is home to a number of industrial clusters for the new generation of information technology, biomedicine, new energy and artificial intelligence.

On March 2, Hyundai Motor Group, a South Korean car manufacturer on the Fortune Global 500 list, broke ground for its hydrogen fuel cell system project in the district.

The first of its kind in China, the plant covers an area of 207,000 square meters. Construction is expected to complete in 2022, entailing a total investment of 8.5 billion yuan by 2030, Hyundai said.