Haizhu district in Guangzhou, the capital city of South China's Guangdong province, issued its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 on July 26.

Sun Wei, deputy head of Haizhu district, gave an interpretation of the guidelines at a press conference on July 27.

Major development targets during the 14th Five-Year Plan period

The district will become a vibrant, charming and competitive place in the digital ecosystem. It will focus on urban renewal, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital economy industries, and build the Pazhou Pilot Area for AI and Digital Economy, the Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) International Innovation Valley and the Haizhu New Vibrant Circle for the Integrated Growth of Cultural, Commercial and Tourism Industries (hereinafter referred to as "one pilot area, innovation valley and new circle").

The district will strive to become a demonstration area for the digital economy, a leading area for the integrated growth between urban and rural regions, possess a convivial downtown living area, and be a model for the coordinated development of cultural, commercial and tourism industries.

12 proposals to attain the goals

I. To accelerate the construction of "one pilot area, innovation valley and new circle," and build a city for digital ecosystem. The district will align its development strategies with the distribution of industrial functions throughout Guangzhou, which features the integrated development of the core area of the digital economy, one innovation-driven zone in each of the eastern and southern sections of the city, and three ports (the airport, the seaport and the railway port) together with its industrial planning and the optimization of urban functions.

II. To unleash the vitality of scientific innovation and build an advanced industrial cluster of innovative elements. The district will be committed to upholding the central role of innovation in the drive for modernization by fully leveraging the scientific and human resources of SYSU, the Pazhou Laboratory and other major scientific institutes as well as scientific innovation with industrial development in a move to continuously improve local industrial, value and innovation chains.

III. To build a modernized economic system driven by the digital economy. The district will strive to be a proving ground for the digital economy, accelerate the development of its corporate headquarters-related economy, be committed to the development of leading industrial sectors such as new-generation information technology, e-commerce, high-end services, exhibition and convention facilities, culture and tourism, and smart buildings and urban industry. It will also strengthen the forward-looking development plan for cutting-edge industries such as brain-inspired intelligence, block chain and nano-technology, and build a modernized economy with unique characteristics.

IV. To further unleash the potential of domestic demand and speed up the building of a new development paradigm. The district will adhere to its development strategies of expanding domestic demand, fully leverage the fundamental roles of consumption and investment, smooth out domestic circulation, engage in the dual circulation development pattern, and move forward with its integrated development of cultural, commercial and tourism industries in line with Guangzhou's commitment to growing into an international consumption center.

V. To improve the business environment and optimize the quality and efficiency of economic growth. The district will learn positively from the experience and practices of model cities for the improvement of the business environment, continue to further improve its administrative services, fully leverage the decisive role of the market in the allocation of resources, foster a positive environment for business growth, and make remarkable progress in the building of a modern and international business environment.

VI. To promote the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) and a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics, accelerate the integrated development between Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and be committed to high-quality and coordinated growth. The district will firmly adhere to the building of the Greater Bay Area as its top priority, participate in the building of the Greater Bay Area and a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen integrated development with higher standards. It will also leverage the driving role of the Pazhou AI and Digital Economy Pilot Zone, and strive to make a breakthrough in setting up institutions, the collaboration between industrial development and scientific innovation, and the integrated growth between social affairs and people's wellbeing.

VII. To further improve the quality of development and make a breakthrough in optimizing urban functions. The district will integrate the concept of whole life cycle in urban planning, construction and management, attain the targets set for its urban renewal in the years to come, improve the development modes related to production, lifestyle and economy, adhere to the coordinated development of industries and urban construction, and strive to be a model area for high-quality development, living and governance.

VIII. To strengthen ecological efforts and set an example in the building of the beautiful China initiative. Convinced that 'lucid waters and lush mountains' are invaluable assets, the district will take advantage of its rich wetland resource in the construction of transportation infrastructure surrounded by trees and other flora, practice low-carbon production methods and lifestyles, consolidate its progress in the battle against pollution and channel ecological resources into new development strengths.

IX. To tell Haizhu's story well and promote the prosperous development of cultural affairs. The district will fully leverage its historical and cultural resources, stress the development of its revolutionary culture, Lingnan culture, maritime silk road culture, ecology-related culture and innovation-related culture to further enhance its influence brought by six major brands, which are the Guangzhou Pagoda, the China Import and Export Fair, Haizhu Wetland, the Pazhou AI and Digital Economy Pilot Zone, the SYSU and Shixiang Courtyard or the former residence of famous Chinese painters Ju Lian and Ju Cao of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and promote its culture-oriented soft power.

X. To promote the modernization drive in governance and build a social governance community. The district will further improve its social management system by featuring collaboration, participation and common interests, leverage the roles of legal consultants, government lawyers and employees from grassroots legal publicity offices, strengthen governmental functions in providing public services, explore new approaches to realize modernization in social governance, and help more social entities and market players take part in and reap the benefits of social governance.

XI. To adhere to the development philosophy for common interests and provide equitable access to basic public services. The district will be committed to improving people's wellbeing, safeguarding their rights and promoting their well-rounded development, optimize demographic structure and employment quality, accelerate the building of the Healthy Haizhu initiative, develop into an area with a strong reputation for education and sports, create a sustainable social security system, introduce a set of measures to meet various public demands for housing, and make enormous efforts to guarantee people's happiness.

XII. To coordinate development and security and highlight people's sense of safety. The district will integrate the concept of safety-driven development into all aspects and procedures of its construction, focus on national security, social stability and people's wellbeing, and build a modern living place featuring strong resilience, safety, stability, justice and fairness.