The coastal city of Zhuhai in Guangdong has achieved comprehensive, high-quality development during China's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025).
Despite occupying only 1% of Guangdong's land and accounting for 2% of its population, Zhuhai contributes 3.3% of the province's GDP and 4% of its industrial added value—a testament to its efficient and concentrated development model, as highlighted at a press conference on December 12 in Guangzhou.
A press conference titled "Achievements of Guangdong's 14th Five-Year Plan – Zhuhai Session" held in Guangzhou on December 12.
Capitalizing on its unique position as the only city in the Chinese mainland connected by land to both Hong Kong and Macao, and driven by sustained reform momentum, Zhuhai has recorded a GDP of 447.9 billion yuan in 2024, with per capita GDP reaching 178,700 yuan.
The 14th Five-Year Plan represents China's strategic shift toward innovation-driven and sustainable development, emphasizing technological self-reliance, green transition, and institutional opening-up. In line with these national priorities, as outlined by Mayor Wu Zetong, Zhuhai has delivered multifaceted progress through a coherent strategy that integrates regional cooperation, industrial innovation, institutional reform, balanced development, and ecological sustainability.
Regional integration has been a cornerstone of Zhuhai's development, anchored by the mega project of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, which marks its 7th anniversary since opening. As the first cross-sea transport infrastructure jointly built by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, the Bridge has solidified Zhuhai's position as the only mainland city with direct links to both regions.
Leveraging this strategic connectivity, Wu explained that Zhuhai has actively deepened the "Macao + Hengqin" collaboration, attracting over 30,000 Macao residents and 7,600 Macao-funded enterprises to Hengqin. The Bridge has significantly enhanced regional economic integration, facilitating nearly 100 million passenger trips and enabling over 1.2 trillion yuan in import-export value. Complementing this network, Gongbei Port handles more than 100 million passengers annually, ranking first nationwide in passenger volume.
In the industrial and technological domain, the city has pursued vigorous advancement. Mayor Wu highlighted that industrial investment grew by over 60% in five years, with large-scale industrial output exceeding 600 billion yuan. R&D spending surged more than 80%, reaching an intensity of 4.57%—the second highest in Guangdong. The number of high-tech enterprises increased by 42%, with notable progress in fields such as artificial intelligence and robotics. Advanced manufacturing now constitutes 58.6% of large-scale industrial output, contributing to a leading provincial industrial profit margin of 9.3%.
This industrial strength is reflected in several leading local enterprises, including home-appliance manufacturer Gree, aviation specialist AVIC (producer of the AG600 amphibious aircraft), printer manufacturer Pantum, and office-software provider Kingsoft WPS. The city is also home to 16 national champion firms and 136 highly specialized, innovative enterprises.
Parallel reforms in opening up have also progressed through pioneering measures in cross-border credit, data development, and low-altitude transportation. According to the Mayor's briefing, Zhuhai has established trade relations with 220 countries and regions, with total foreign trade exceeding 1.5 trillion yuan over the past five years. Cross-border e-commerce grew at an average annual rate of over 100%, and 51 Fortune Global 500 companies have invested in the city.
The city's major open platforms have also been consistently upgraded. Gongbei Port handles over 100 million passengers annually, maintaining its position as the country's busiest land passenger port. Zhuhai Airport has launched international cargo routes and handles nearly 13 million passengers a year.
The Zhuhai Port area has further expanded its opening-up, with the Gaolan Port Comprehensive Bonded Zone commencing operations and launching direct shipping routes to Brazil. Additionally, the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition has set repeated records in exhibition scale, deal value, and media attention.
Reporter: Guo Zedong
Photo: Guo Zedong
Editor: Yuan Zixiang, James Campion, Shen He
