Zhuhai will give top priority to the high-quality development of its modernized construction this year, announced Zhuhai Mayor Huang Zhihao, in the 2023 Government Work Report during the 3rd Session of the 10th Zhuhai Municipal People's Congress.

The city's major economic goals for socioeconomic development for 2023 were laid out in the report: a 6 percent growth in regional gross domestic product (GDP); an 8.5 percent increase in added value of industries above designated size; an 8 percent growth in fixed asset investment; a 6 percent growth in total retail sales of consumer goods; positive growth in import and export volume; as well as a growth rate of more than 5.5 percent in general public budget revenue.

To boost construction of the Macao-Zhuhai pole of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the city will strengthen cooperation with Macao, back up the closed operation of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and support the renovation of Gongbei Checkpoint. 

The work report also highlighted that the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) will be built into a new economic and trade passage for the city.

Zhuhai's total industrial investment volume is expected to reach over 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) in 2023, with the city accelerating the construction of its industry 5.0 space projects, which cover an area of 20 million square meters (4,942 acres).

The 3rd Session of the 10th Zhuhai Municipal People's Congress [Photo by Cheng Lin / Zhuhai Media Group]

The number of high-tech enterprises in Zhuhai is also expected to increase by more than 600, and the Guangzhou-Zhuhai-Macao Sci-tech Corridor will move forward its construction. The National Marine Comprehensive Testing Field (Zhuhai) will also be built in the Wanshan Archipelago.

To promote the city's high-quality development at all levels, construction of the Zhuhai (Hezhou) Hub Station will commence, while famous scenic spots will be built in Zhuhai districts to develop holistic tourism.

Construction of the link lines of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, west extension line of HZMB, and loop line of city urban rail transit will be accelerated. A rapid transportation network will take shape to provide residents access to express roads within 15 minutes, while a "30/60" urban commute circle will also be established to enable drivers to travel to downtown Zhuhai within 30 minutes and between the city's east and west wings within 60 minutes during peak hours.  

Phase II of the Airport Urban Rail Transit project will be operational within the year, and a total of 19,000 public parking spaces will be added. A number of cultural activities, including the Zhuhai Art Festival and Chinese Documentary Film Festival, will be organized. 

The airshow venues in Jinwan will be expanded and upgraded, while the first AERO Asia, a business and general aviation show that is being jointly presented by Zhuhai Airshow China and Germany-based AERO Friedrichshafen, will take place in November.

In addition, the city will support green and low-carbon development, construct an all-age friendly city, as well as create a harmonious and stable development environment.

"Integrated" reform will be advanced to create a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment.

In 2022, Zhuhai recorded a GDP of 404.55 billion yuan ($59.6 billion), a year-on-year growth of 2.3 percent. 

The added value of Zhuhai's industries above designated size went up by 6.9 percent to 148.08 billion yuan ($21.81 billion) in 2022, topping Guangdong province in terms of growth rate. Its investment in industries and manufacturing each rose by 56.4 percent and 81.6 percent, both ranking first in Guangdong.

The per capita disposable income of Zhuhai residents increased by 2.6 percent in 2022, averaging 63,000 yuan ($9,280), and the number of passengers crossing the Zhuhai-Macao border last year hit 97.06 million.