Haizhu recently released a territorial space plan for 2021-35, to better serve its stated goal of becoming an appealing and competitive "digital eco-city".

By developing itself as such, Haizhu will focus on building a digital economy demonstration zone.

It will create a leading area for the integration of industry and city, a livable ecological area in the center of the conurbation and a model area for the integration of culture, business and tourism.

The China Import and Export Fair Complex. [Photo/Yangcheng Evening News]

Under the plan, by 2025 it will construct a new era for an innovative Haizhu, a smart Haizhu, an ecological Haizhu, a cultural Haizhu and a quality Haizhu.

By 2035, it will have developed into a vibrant, attractive and competitive "digital eco-city". By 2050, the aim is for it to become a Chinese-style modern central urban model area with classic charm, contemporary vitality and a global influence.

The plan has highlighted six key industrial development zones. They are the Pazhou Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Pilot Zone, the Guangzhou Tower Digital Cultural Tourism Zone, the Science and Technology Innovation Zone around Sun Yat-sen University, the Haizhu New Vitality Cultural, Business and Tourism Integration Circle, the Shixi to Lijiao Emerging Industry Cluster Zone and the Haizhu Wetland Value Circle.

The Pazhou Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Pilot Zone will focus on artificial intelligence and the digital economy. It will rely on headquarters enterprises to build itself into a world-class digital economy demonstration zone.

Haizhu district will also develop the Haizhu National Wetland Park into an ecological conservation redline, and will promote the efficient layout of its urban space.

By 2035, it's estimated that it will only take a maximum of 30 minutes to reach the aviation and railway hub from Haizhu district, with the major cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area being reachable within 60 minutes.

Public transport will account for no less than 70 percent of motorized journeys, with rail transits accounting for no less than 80 percent of public transport trips. Overall, the proportion of green transportation will be no less than 80 percent.

What's more, Haizhu will promote the construction of the Pazhou and Lijiao passenger transportation hubs and also enhance its connectivity with the Greater Bay Area. In terms of rail transit, Haizhu will establish a multi-level rail transit system. Under the plan, in terms of road transportation, Haizhu will improve the overall density of its road network.

It will establish a four-tier urban park system consisting of "ecological, city, community and pocket parks". It will build a greenway network and create a Haizhu greenway + historical and cultural, modern urban area,  as well as a wetland ecological environment network.

The plan envisages the district improving its system of historical and cultural heritage protection. It will construct a "Red Journey" revolutionary cultural path, a "Silk Road" historical and cultural path and a "Pearl River of Industry" industrial cultural path.