Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

GUANGDONG kicked off the first working day of the Year of the Horse yesterday with its annual Provincial High-quality Development Conference, focusing this year on the coordinated growth of manufacturing and services to lay a strong foundation for its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) period.

The conference, now in its fourth year, sets the tone for the southern economic powerhouse’s development strategy. As China’s top provincial economy for 37 consecutive years, Guangdong is seeking to leverage its strengths as both a global manufacturing hub and a major center for modern services.

Speaking at the event, provincial Party chief Huang Kunming emphasized that the integration of manufacturing and services is a crucial trend in industrial evolution and key to building a modern industrial system.

Huang outlined the strategic importance of this synergy, stating it is vital for riding the wave of technological advancement and securing a leading position in the future. He noted Guangdong’s advantages in digital technology, data resources, and application scenarios. He added the move is also essential for smoothing economic circulation and improving people’s wellbeing, given the province’s complete industrial system and its role in developing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Key strategies include strengthening the industrial system by focusing on the real economy and manufacturing as the foundation, promoting high-quality services, and leveraging AI to boost integration. The province aims to cultivate leading enterprises offering integrated solutions, specialized firms, and platform-like companies to foster deeper collaboration.

Huang also stressed the need for technological innovation to fuel this synergy, including investing in cross-industry research and development and addressing technical bottlenecks.

He said Guangdong will attract more than 1 million college graduates this year. The province lured over 1.1 million college graduates last year, which means that one out of every 12 new graduates in the country chose Guangdong, underscoring the province’s magnetic pull for young talent.

Shenzhen Party chief Meng Fanli, who also serves as the province’s governor, presided over the conference.

In a separate address, Shenzhen Mayor Qin Weizhong outlined the city’s commitment to the province’s agenda. He said Shenzhen will continue prioritizing the real economy and manufacturing, while upgrading its service sectors.

Qin said the city aims to accelerate the development of world-class advanced manufacturing, technological innovation, financial, consumer, and logistics centers.

He added that Shenzhen will leverage its role in hosting APEC meetings this year to build itself into a more globally influential economic center and modern international metropolis, contributing to the development of the province and the nation.