Guangzhou introduced a digital Land Supermarket and announced ten new investment policies to attract global businesses by streamlining industrial land access and reducing business costs. The initiatives were unveiled at an investment promotion event on March 28, where city officials highlighted Guangzhou's efforts to improve its business environment and facilitate foreign investment.
The city, a major economic hub in southern China, secured 103.4 billion yuan in new industrial projects in the first quarter of 2025, including two major manufacturing deals worth over 10 billion yuan each. Foreign direct investment (FDI) grew 4% year-on-year, with 1,040 newly established foreign-invested enterprises and 74.24 billion yuan in utilized FDI.
Allowing enterprises to access industrial land more easily
Guangzhou's ten new measures are designed to accelerate business setup and enhance investment convenience. One of the key initiatives allows companies to begin construction within 30 working days of acquiring land-use rights, significantly reducing project lead times. Industrial land payments can now be completed within one year, easing financial pressure on investors. The city has also introduced a flexible lease renewal model for industrial land, ensuring business continuity by assessing renewals based on land-use value and contractual terms.
A major highlight of the announcement was the launch of the Guangzhou Land Supermarket, a digital platform listing 420 industrial land parcels spanning 19 square kilometers. The system enables businesses to filter land options based on industry type, location, and usage criteria, offering a data-driven approach to land allocation. The platform is expected to improve the efficiency of land transactions and align industrial projects with available resources.
Guangzhou is also expanding its focus on strategic industries, positioning itself as a hub for advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, life sciences, and autonomous driving technology. In the life sciences sector, Guangzhou has increased its number of hospitals authorized for cross-border drug trials to 20, providing a stronger platform for pharmaceutical research. Recent reforms in the insurance sector have also expanded reimbursement options for innovative medical treatments, further strengthening the city's biopharmaceutical industry.
Guangzhou continues to lead in autonomous vehicle testing, with 1,340 roads spanning 2,601 kilometers now open for self-driving trials, making it China's largest testing zone. The city's financial sector remains a key driver of investment, with 800 private equity firms managing 560 billion yuan. A municipal investment fund with a total scale of 450 billion yuan supports high-growth industries and venture capital initiatives.
Providing more opportunities to lure global investment
Guangzhou has established seven global investment offices to attract international investment and has recently identified over 300 potential projects. The city plans to host 100 investment promotion events annually, leveraging major trade fairs such as the Canton Fair and the China International Import Expo to engage with multinational companies.
Looking ahead, Guangzhou has set an ambitious goal of securing 1,000 new industrial projects by 2025, including ten large-scale investments exceeding 10 billion yuan. These initiatives align with the city's latest industrial strategy, which focuses on developing advanced manufacturing, high-tech industries, and digital transformation. Officials say the city's latest policy measures aim to create a more efficient, predictable, and investor-friendly business environment, reinforcing Guangzhou's position as a key gateway to China's expanding market.
At the event, Guangzhou also unveiled its new city branding video, "Guangzhou: Opening the Gateway to the Future". The video highlights the city's transformation from an ancient commercial hub to a modern global metropolis with dynamic visuals and an international narrative style, aiming to translate Guangzhou's economic and cultural strengths from abstract advantages into a tangible and immersive experience for global audiences.
Reporter | Hu Nan
Photo | The Office of the Canton Investment Development Commission
Editor | James, Shen He
