Zhanjiang is fouced on innovation development especially in e-commerce, and is benefiting from the government's favorable policies, along with new energy from Alibaba's growth against the backdrop of nationwide enthusiasm for innovation.

With government support, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba set up a branch at the Cross-border E-commerce Industrial Park in Zhanjiang's Chikan District in September 2015.

Throughout the year, Alibaba's One Touch, the online foreign trade service platform, has attracted 100 registrations, contributing to transaction volumes of $7.98 million last year, and average exports valued at 10 million yuan ($1.5 million).

"We're in the right place!" said Deng Qi, leader of Zhanjiang's Alibaba service center who came to Zhanjiang in September 2015.

Deng Qi, leader of Alibaba's service center in Zhanjiang, gives guidance to new employees. [Photo/zjphoto.yinsha.com]

Eight years of work experience at Alibaba enabled him to respond quickly to the local development situation and new opportunities, leading to a detailed plan for growth. The market for small household appliances the company has been targeting is currently seeing a boom. A large quantity of products has now entered foreign markets, including the US and Southeast Asia.

Deng expressed his gratitude to the support offered by the local government.

"The Zhanjiang government attached great importance to e-commerce development. Even our workplace is provided for free," he said.

Deng also said he owes the achievements to the promotion of e-commerce to the public.

At the service center, 90 percent of employees are natives, the majority of whom are returners from Guangzhou and Shenzhen, according to Deng. He called for more local people to return home to contribute to the development of their hometowns, whose hope and endeavors coincided with the Zhanjiang government's strategy to develop the new economy.

Zhanjiang Mayor Wang Zhongbing tours the exhibition during the Mass Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week, held on Oct 12-18. [Photo/zjphoto.yinsha.com]

Policies aimed at scientific and technological innovation issued last year have paved the way for vigorous development.

Investment and funds has infused startups and innovation projects based at the city's business incubators, which alone have bred three companies with annual production value exceeding 1 million yuan.

The nation-wide Mass Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week opened from Oct 12 to 18, and is another highlight, while Zhanjiang's achievements in emerging areas such as information technology, biological medicine and intelligent manufacturing were on display. More competitive businesses and teams were in the limelight and will continue joining the efforts for innovation-driven development.

Large numbers of visitors view the latest achievements at an exhibition in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, during the Mass Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week, held on Oct 12-18. [Photo/zjphoto.yinsha.com]