GuangZhou is positioned to become a “central city of the nation” under the Plan of Reform and Development in The Pearl River Delta Region. This positioning is set to inject fresh vitality into Guangzhou’s development, and to that end, Guangzhou needs to improve its industrial system, urban functionality, and indigenous innovation capabilities.

At a work conference on the Plan on June 17, Guangdong Vice Governor and Guangzhou Mayor Wan Qingliang stated that, in line with its designation as a “central city of the nation”, Guangzhou will seek greater autonomy in economic administration from national and provincial authorities.

Under the arrangements of the provincial Party Committee and provincial government, the Plan of Reform and Development are implemented in three phases – an initial phase in 2009, a phase of substantial growth from 2010 to 2012, and a leapfrogging phase from 2013 to 2020.

Guangzhou’s GDP rose 11.5 percent in 2009 to RMB 911.3 billion, accounting for one-fourth of the provincial total. The city’s tertiary sector has been grown by leaps and bounds, making up more than 60 percent of its GDP. The implementation of the Plan has had a good start in Guangzhou.