Province's 'hidden champions' power manufacturing industry upgrade

Behind Guangdong's thriving electronics industry are an array of rising component suppliers, and their high-quality development epitomizes the upgrading of China's manufacturing industrial chain.

Though hidden under the guise of world-famous brands, many of them have become leaders in their specific industries in national and even global markets. They are "hidden champions", a term coined by German author Hermann Simon to describe small but highly specialized world-market leaders who are almost unknown to the outside world.

These "hidden champions "regard scientific research and technology development as a key driver, which provides momentum for the overall upgrading of the province's manufacturing industry. In 2018, the total R&D expenditure in Guangdong reached 250 billion yuan ($36 billion), accounting for 2.65 percent of its total GDP.