Page 88 - AmCham South China 2026 Special Report on the State of Business in South China

? The role of the highland of institutional Nansha is an administrative district of
innovation will become more prominent, with Guangzhou, located at the city¡¯s southern tip and
the level of investment and trade liberalization the center of the Pearl River estuary, adjoining
and facilitation reaching international first-class Dongguan to the east and Zhongshan to the
standards and a multi-level, all-round financial west. In 2015, an area of 60 km in Nansha was
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service system being formed. incorporated into the China (Guangdong) Pilot
Free Trade Zone, becoming one of its three
? Further optimization of the business subzones (alongside Qianhai Shekou Area and
environment and promotion of a fair and open Hengqin New Area).
market. Government management and service
capabilities will be further improved, and the GDFTZ After a slight decline in 2024, Nansha¡¯s GDP
will aim to take a leading position in the World rebounded with a robust growth of 4.5% in H1
Bank business environment index evaluation. 2025, reaching RMB106.9 billion. Amid rising
uncertainties in global trade, offshore and digital
? Build a high-quality development engine trade have become critical tools for lowering costs
with strong capacity for global resource allocation, and boosting competitiveness, aligning with the
innovation and collaboration. broader Belt and Road strategy. Total goods trade
in the region increased 17.5% YoY to RMB147.9
? Form a new development model that billion in H1 2025.
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enables Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau to
enhance synergies in economy, governance and As one of the most open areas in the GBA,
market factors. Direct investment from Hong Nansha has introduced several exploratory and
Kong and Macau will reach about US$35 billion, innovative policies, including delineating low-
and the total number of registered Hong Kong- altitude airspace and air routes, enabling intelligent
and Macau-invested enterprises will reach 30,000. connected vehicle operations, commercializing
marine scientific and technological innovations,
? Basically construct a platform for in-depth and developing green finance, pharmaceuticals
cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and medical devices. Nansha has also established
and Macau, creating new space for industrial a robust industrial system anchored by clusters
development and a highland for innovation and in heavy equipment, shipbuilding and marine
entrepreneurship for Hong Kong and Macau. engineering. Advanced manufacturing now
contributes over 70% of the value-added output
In April 2025, the Guangdong government of large-scale industries in the area. To attract
issued the ¡°Opinions on Implementing the Free more global investment and talent, Nansha
Trade Pilot Zone Enhancement Strategy¡± , launched a new supporting policy system offering
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emphasizing the importance of advancing high- competitive measures in areas such as futures,
level opening up and high-quality development climate investment and financing.
of the GDFTZ. The document outlines a series of
regulatory easing and enhancements, including In June 2022, the Overall Plan for Guangzhou
optimizing trade flows, improving investment Nansha to Deepen Guangdong-Hong Kong-
facilitation and fostering innovative ecosystems Macau Comprehensive Cooperation (¡°Nansha
amid intensifying global competition and shifting Plan¡±) was released with a global perspective,
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supply chains. Qualified zones will be supported setting out an ambitious blueprint to consolidate
in pursuing integrated innovation across key Hong Kong, Macau and mainland cities into the GBA.
sectors such as biomedicine, advanced equipment
manufacturing and the marine economy. Five key development directions in the Nansha
Plan:
Nansha area of Guangzhou
26 Government of Guangzhou, https://www.gz.gov.cn/
xw/zwlb/gqdt/nsq/content/mpost_10387547.html
25 Government of Guangdong, https://www.gov.cn/ 27 The State Council, http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/
yaowen/liebiao/202504/content_7020177.htm zhengceku/2022-06/14/content_5695623.htm

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