Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

Zhuhai's strong presence as an emerging innovative southern Chinese city was highlighted in the June 24 issue of the People's Daily, the biggest newspaper group in China.

The front page of the newspaper featured Gree Electric Appliances, the world's largest air conditioner supplier headquartered in Xiangzhou District of Zhuhai. The State-owned giant innovated its way to success, exceling in not only home appliances, but also industrial robot, intelligent manufacturing and many other high-end pursuits.

The Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia [Photo courtesy WeChat account (ID: dmzzmt)]

The company once again came under the global spotlight by serving the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. It is the only water-cooled screw chiller and one of the major suppliers of air conditioners for the Mordovia Arena. The newly built venue in Saransk is equipped with an LHE water-cooled screw chiller independently developed by Gree. The product has reached world-advanced level in both efficiency and energy consumption.

From 2012 to 2017, Gree applied for 32,178 patents, 6.7 times compared to the past 21 years. The strengthened R & D capacity brought higher operating income and net profit in the past five years, 1.9 and 4.2 times compared to the past 21 years respectively, according to a company manager.

LHE water-cooled screw chiller [Photo courtesy WeChat account of Gree Customers Service Center]

Being driven by self-innovation ability, Gree also gives full play to preferential local policies and government support.

Zhuhai, a Special Economic Zone designated as such in 1980, is known for its innovation-oriented business environment. Business registration, project review and approval have all been made convenient to such companies, with government service being tailored to industry giants. Enormous incentives and subsidies are spurring a new round of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Gree, located in Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province [Photo courtesy WeChat account of Gree]

Last year, Zhuhai's GDP climbed to 256 billion yuan ($40 billion), with the GDP per capita rated second only to Shenzhen and Guangzhou, the first-tier cities developing rapidly in Guangdong.