Zhuhai: modern, international, enviable model by 2025

As a regional hub and core city on the west bank of the Pearl River Estuary, Zhuhai is to become a high-quality development model for the coastal economic belt by 2025.

The anticipated economic, urban, and population scale is detailed in the Work Plan for Zhuhai to Become a Modernized and Internationalized Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the New Era of Socialism With Chinese Characteristics. The plan was approved May 28 at the 11th Plenary Session of the 8th CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee.

It proposes that the city's role as a major new growth pole in Guangdong Province will be heightened by leading the country in public service, environmental quality, Reform & Opening Up, and Guangdong-Macao integration.

Zhuhai's socialist modernization in 2030 is to reflect a significant increase in economic and sci-tech strengths and urban competitiveness. A strengthened Macao-Zhuhai Pole will position Zhuhai as a regional gateway, node city in the new development pattern, innovation pioneer, leader in ecological civilization, and model for livelihoods and happiness.

By 2035, Zhuhai is predicted to be a global model in materials, political, spiritual, social, and ecological civilization, window for socialism with Chinese characteristics, and bright spot in China's full emergence as a modern socialist country.

11th Plenary Session of the 8th CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee [Photo by Cheng Lin / WeChat account: zhtqb12345]

To achieve that vision the city has set the following key tasks:

1. Deepen Reform & Opening-Up

Give full play to the legislative power of the SEZ, enhance rule coherence with Hong Kong and Macao, and formulate Lists of Legislative Demands.

Strive for larger autonomous rights in reform and development, establish the National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone (Tangjiawan) as a reform and innovation pilot zone, and unify the registration of real estate on uninhabited islands.

Advance the reform in the rights of use, disposal, and profit of sci-tech achievements, cut red tape in administrative affairs, and allow for online processing.

Build a Zhuhai-Hong Kong-Macao cross-border e-commerce hub base, launch international flights, and enhance the connection with Hong Kong and Macao's consumption market.

2. Cooperate extensively with Macao

Create the Deepened Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Zone and vigorously develop scientific research and high-end manufacturing.

Boost Zhuhai-Macao transport connectivity and the joint building of rail transport hubs.

Enhance influence of the Macao-Zhuhai Pole through spatial planning with Zhongshan and Jiangmen, sped-up construction of the Bridge Economic Zone, and synergetic development with metropolitan areas centered on the west bank of the Pearl River Estuary, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

3. Build a sci-tech innovation highland

Deepen institution reform, increase financial support for sci-tech innovation, and enhance IP exchange and cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao.

Improve independent innovation capability relying on major sci-tech platforms, national demonstration bases for sci-tech transformation services, and node city positioning along the Guangzhou-Zhuhai-Macao Scientific & Technological Innovation Corridor.

Attract talents in key industrial areas under a diversified assessment and one-stop service system.

4. Foster new drivers for industrial development

Propel high-quality development of advanced manufacturing and modern service industries, cultivate "5+1" strategic emerging industrial clusters, and pursue breakthroughs in key technologies.

Quickly develop a modern financial service industry backed by supportive policies, an optimized business environment, and aggregated resources.

Foster a digital economy by establishing a blockchain industrial aggregated zone, construct the Zhuhai Big Data Center, and expand functions of the Hengqin Advanced Intelligent Computing Center.

Build a marine economy demonstration zone and world-class marine tourism zone, further exploit deep-sea resources, support high-quality pelagic fishery, and establish "smart" marine ranches.

5. Become a transport hub on the west bank of the Pearl River Estuary

Construct the Zhuhai-Zhaoqing and Guangzhou-Zhuhai (Macao) high-speed railways, and Nansha-Zhuhai (Zhongshan) Intercity MRT.

Integrate expressways on the west bank of the Pearl River Estuary, prioritize construction of the Huangmao Sea Channel Bridge, and improve outbound road networks to Shenzhen, Zhongshan, and Jiangmen.

Make solid progress renovating and expanding Zhuhai (Jinwan) Airport and increase the number of international shipping lines at Gaolan Port.

6. Exemplify ecological civilization

Move ahead on creating green corridors and picturesque bays, and control regional ozone and PM2.5 levels.

Promote green lifestyles and a green development style by becoming a "zero-waste city," driving green low-carbon demonstration projects and national demonstration eco-industrial parks, and optimizing transport.

7. Build a livable and happy new city

Raise the intelligence level of the city relying on "smart" transport, healthcare, public health emergency management, and grassroots social governance platforms, as well as an in-depth integration of IT and education.

Establish a high-level regional medical education center through further cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao and increase support for key clinical disciplines.

Standardize development of the long-term rental housing market and build more than 80,000 affordable and talent housing units during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

The modernization of social governance will be piloted by improving urban-rural community service platforms, adding regional emergency response command centers, and working with the Macao police to crack down on cross-border crime.

Elevate spiritual civilization with cultural landmarks, cultural heritage protection and utilization, and "all-for-one" tourism.

(cityofzhuhai)