Zhuhai's increased investment by 12.9 percent to 14.5 billion yuan ($2 billion) in 2020 is already creating an envisioned advanced-equipment industrial belt on the west bank of the Pearl River Delta.

Last year, 46 equipment manufacturing projects costing more than 100 million yuan ($16 million) settled in Zhuhai, 39 came under construction, and 28 began operations – well above goals set by provincial authorities.

Facing the COVID-19 outbreak, Zhuhai issued 19 policies to revive the real economy and help enterprises resume operations. In addition, 280 million yuan ($43 million) of provincial funding and 120 million yuan ($19 million) at the municipal level were earmarked to support local equipment-manufacture enterprises.

Construction of Gree Electric Appliances High-End Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park in the Gaolan Port Economic Zone continues non-stop over the Spring Festival [Photo by Kang Zhenhua / Guanhai App]

With that support, multiple equipment manufacturers and their products were able to excel in their respective industries, and a great number of innovation achievements have emerged. For instance, the world's largest amphibious aircraft – the AG600 developed by Zhuhai-headquartered China Aviation Industry General Aircraft – completed its maiden flights from land, water, and sea, and unmanned surface vessels produced by Tangjiawan-based Yunzhou-Tech now account for 90 percent of the domestic market.

Forging into the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Zhuhai will bring in 600 projects with investment of more than 100 million yuan, and continue to establish, complete, and lengthen industrial chains.

Overall, the city is fostering five 100-billion-yuan ($16-billion) industrial clusters related to integrated circuits, biomedicine, new materials, new energy, and high-end printing equipment, while expanding the aeronautics and astronautics sector.

Leading and high-quality enterprises of the "5+1" strategic emerging industrial clusters are expected to attract more upstream and downstream enterprises to Zhuhai. State-owned assets will invest in core links of the industrial chain.

The city has outlined 180 sqkm (70 sq miles) to ensure development space for the real economy. Planned are 10 characteristic industrial parks that exemplify industry-city integration to attract new industries and projects, according to the Zhuhai Industry & Information Technology Bureau.