Nansha takes the lead in reform and innovation among the free trade zones in Guangdong province and possesses 391 reform and innovation achievements, according to Pan Yuzhang, deputy director of the Nansha Development District, speaking at a news conference held on July 17.

Since it was established on April 21, 2015, the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone Nansha Area of Guangzhou (Nansha Free Trade Zone) has grown to an area of 60 square kilometers. Among its 391 innovative results, 31 have spread across the country, 90 around the province and 171 in the city.

The Nansha Port Area has become the second largest port for parallel imported vehicles in China and the largest distribution center for engineering plastic in the Asian-Pacific region. [Photo/gznsnews.com]

During the last three years, the area has ranked fifth in the world in terms of the time required to register a firm. It also has optimized the business environment with institutional innovation. With the introduction of an "Artificial intelligence plus" business registration system, it only takes three days for a firm to settle in the area.

With the implementation of the "1+1+10" industrial policy system, the Nansha Free Trade Zone has introduced 109 investment projects from Fortune Global 500 companies. It also has attracted many strategic emerging industries which have brought their latest technologies such as artificial intelligence advances and unmanned vehicles.

A service window at the government affairs service center in Nansha. [Photo/gznsnews.com]

Accordingly, various talents, including one Nobel Prize winner and ten academicians, have gathered in Nansha to promote the development of the innovative industries.

According to Pan, in upcoming years, Nansha will focus on building an international scientific and technological innovation center as well as a demonstration area for quality living in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, taking opening up and reform and innovation to a new level.

A communication conference on global AI industry is held on June 23 in Nansha district of Guangzhou. [Photo/gznsnews.com]