The 2026 Guangdong Provincial High-Quality Development Conference was held on February 24 in Guangzhou, placing manufacturing-service integration at the forefront of the agenda. On the same day, the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission released a white paper and held a press conference to outline support measures, with multiple provincial departments responding to media questions.
Speaking at the press conference, Gong Zhenzhi, Director-General of the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, stated that the document reflects Guangdong's efforts to align with national priorities for integrating advanced manufacturing with modern services and to build a modern industrial system rooted in the real economy and driven by innovation.
The white paper highlights Guangdong's economic scale and industrial depth as a foundation for closer integration. In 2025, the province's gross domestic product reached 14.58 trillion yuan, ranking first nationwide for the 37th consecutive year. Manufacturing accounts for about one-third of economic output, while the service sector, the largest in China for 41 straight years, contributes nearly 60% of GDP.
Guangdong is home to nationally leading industries, including electronic information, automobiles, and electrical machinery. Ultra-high-definition video has become its tenth trillion-yuan industrial cluster, while around 90% of China's drones and about 40% of its industrial robots are produced in the province. The digital economy has also ranked first nationwide for ten consecutive years.
Officials noted that emerging models such as smart manufacturing, shared production platforms, and service-oriented manufacturing are gaining traction. At the same time, Guangdong is expanding into future industries, with advancements underway in sixth-generation mobile communications, embodied artificial intelligence, cell and gene therapy, hydrogen energy, and advanced nuclear technologies.
Meanwhile, the province plans to focus on value upgrading, greener production, stronger industrial ecosystems, and deeper international engagement. A separate 2026 action plan will translate the white paper's proposals into concrete measures, including support for platforms, talent development, and financing to further integrate manufacturing and services.
Reporter: Zeng Xiangxing
Photo: Huang Xinyi, Guo Hongda
