As an important component of the national innovation center, Guangzhou boasts key facilities such as the Greater Bay Area National Center of Technology Innovation. It also boasts national manufacturing innovation centers in new displays and new energy storage, national industry innovation centers in nanotechnology and advanced polymer materials, and 10 key national laboratories. There are about 13,000 high-tech enterprises, and 21,000 technology-driven small and medium-sized enterprises.

With the synergistic policies of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development plan and the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Guangzhou's Nansha district has been designated as a strategic platform rooted in the Greater Bay Area. The city also possesses three national economic and technological development zones — Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, Nansha Economic and Technological Development Zone and Zengcheng Economic and Technological Development Zone — three national comprehensive bonded zones and several national development platforms, including China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City and the National Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Pilot Zone.

A view of Guangzhou's Huangpu Port on the Pearl River. CHINA DAILY

 According to officials, by implementing a refined version of business environment reforms, Guangzhou is firmly focused on satisfying the needs of industry, enterprises and entrepreneurs. Innovative practices in service, trade and credit commitment applications have been selected as national demonstration cases, placing the city at the national forefront of government transparency and rule of law. The officials said Guangzhou will continue to strengthen its services and support for foreign-funded enterprises and projects, optimize the environment for foreign investment and promote the construction of an open platform to enhance investor confidence.