Guangdong Province, once known as the world’s factory, is rapidly emerging as a global high-tech hub, home to some of the most recognized tech giants like Huawei, Tencent, DJI, ZTE, and BYD.
Nestled along the South China Sea and adjacent to the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, Guangdong is a crucial part of the Greater Bay Area (GBA)—one of the Chinese mainland’s most open and economically vibrant regions.
“The GBA is the only region in the world where mechatronics technology and AI technology simultaneously reside. It is not true anywhere else,” said NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang in November 2024.
In 2024, the province’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached an astounding 14.16 trillion yuan (about $1.97 trillion), making it the first province in China to surpass the 14-trillion mark. This achievement marks 36 consecutive years of Guangdong leading the nation, accounting for 10.5 percent of the national total. The total import and export volume also exceeded 9 trillion yuan for the first time.
From Manufacturing to Innovation
Guangdong’s journey from manufacturing hub to innovation leader is rooted in its history. In the 1980s, growth was driven by processing trade, especially in light industries like textiles. Factories in the Pearl River Delta focused on production while Hong Kong handled orders—a model known as “front shop, back factory.”
By the late 1990s, rising costs and external pressures prompted a shift. The 2008 global financial crisis further accelerated Guangdong’s move from processing trade to innovation-driven industrial upgrading.
“Guangdong stands out for its openness and innovation. It has been a pioneer for China’s reform and opening up,” said Tuo Xiaorui from the Guangdong Institute of Science and Technology Information.
An Ecosystem of Innovation
As a manufacturing heartland, Guangdong offers world-class industrial chains and a dynamic ecosystem for innovation. “If you have an idea to build a robot or a drone in the morning, you can find all the necessary parts by the afternoon,” said Zhao Bingbing, director of Shenzhen Longgang District Artificial Intelligence (Robotics) Administration.
The Greater Bay Area provides materials, components, and application markets, creating a healthy and mutually beneficial cycle. “Dongguan has strong manufacturing capacity and a mature supply chain ecosystem,” said Liu Xitong, director of external relations at a company developing robotic power modules.
Startups thrive in hubs like XbotPark, an international robot industry base within the Songshan Lake Science City. Here, over 140 startups receive funding, resources, and mentorship, fostering scientific research, technology commercialization, and enterprise development.
This ecosystem mirrors Shenzhen’s “Robot Valley,” home to over 74,000 robotics-related companies and nearly 10 universities, forming a major hub for the robotics industry both nationally and globally.
Government Support and Talent Attraction
Robust government support further propels Guangdong’s growth. Local authorities provide invaluable assistance to startups, such as test facilities and support with legal and safety challenges.
“Shenzhen’s technology innovation ecosystem centers around enterprises, which greatly supports the development of emerging industries. The local government is open and welcoming to new companies and sectors,” said Zhu Yuxiang, a strategy manager in a Shenzhen robotics company.
The province is also committed to attracting talent. From April 13 to 26, the 2025 “Millions of Talents Gather in Guangdong” spring recruitment event attracted 140,000 graduates and received 430,000 resumes, matching over 32,000 candidates.
Under this initiative, Guangdong has launched its most ambitious talent incentive program yet, offering benefits like employment subsidies, innovation funding, housing assistance, and household registration incentives.
Educational Initiatives and Future Outlook
Guangdong is focusing on enhancing higher education and scientific innovation to support high-quality development. “The total number of universities and colleges in the province has reached 166. Since 2021, over 440 new undergraduate programs have been added in fields such as robotics, integrated circuits, and AI,” said Wu Yanling, an inspector with the provincial education department.
Looking ahead, Guangdong plans to develop emerging industries such as quantum technology and 6G while advancing innovation in AI and robotics. “It aims to cultivate more leading enterprises and build large-scale industrial clusters to strengthen its manufacturing competitiveness,” said Zhuang Lecong, an inspector with the provincial industry and information technology department.
Leveraging its strategic location, robust industrial chains, vibrant innovation ecosystem, government support, and talent policies, Guangdong is accelerating its transformation. The province is steadily progressing towards becoming a global leader in the tech industry.
