The number of permanent residents in Zhuhai reached 2.02 million with 132,600 newcomers by the end of 2019, ranking first in Guangdong Province with a population growth rate of 7 percent.

This contributed to an increase of 115.21 million permanent residents throughout Guangdong Province by late last year, 1.75 million more than 2018.

The data were reported on March 7 in the Statistical Communiqué of Guangdong Province on the 2019 National Economic & Social Development released by the Provincial Bureau of Statistics and Survey Office of the National Bureau of Statistics .

The appeal of Zhuhai is attributed to advantageous location, attractive talent policy, booming industries, exceptional ecological environment, and well-developed healthcare, education, and transport systems.

Old Xiangzhou in background and Zhuhai Opera House on Yeli Island [Photo by Li Jianshu / WeChat account: zhuhaifabu]

With the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in 2018, Zhuhai became the only mainland city conjoined to Hong Kong and Macao by roadways and as such enjoys unparalleled advantages in cooperating with the special administrative regions.

Last year, 6.7 billion yuan ($957 million) was allocated by the city government in support of the Zhuhai Talent Program – the most generous, innovative, tailored, and comprehensive of its kind in Zhuhai's history.

In terms of business environment, Zhuhai is home to Gree Electric Appliance, a World Top 500 company; China's first base for R&D and testing of unmanned surface vehicles; Xiangshan Marine Scientific & Technological Port; and Ninestar Laser Printer Hi-Tech Equipment & Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park, the first-of-its-kind in the country.

Not only has the city witnessed the birth of the world's largest amphibious aircraft, the AG600, and "Zhuhai-1" satellite constellation, it has also attracted tech moguls Tencent and Huawei to develop artificial intelligence.

Environmentally, Zhuhai ranked first for two consecutive years in sustainable development among 100 big and medium cities. Leading the country in air quality, the city also has numerous beaches, tropical islands, and parks.

As for public welfare, Zhuhai is the only municipality in Guangdong to be named among China's first Demonstration Cities for Health Construction (2018) and the first in the country to offer 12-year free education. It also has a public transport network consisting of air flights, intercity MRT, and 1-yuan (14-cent) bus routes.