(Diplomatic delegation visiting companies in Huangpu District, Guangzhou. November 26, 2024. Photo: Li Jianfeng) 

On November 26, Guangzhou's Huangpu District and Development District hosted an event to bring together officials from consulates representing around 30 countries and foreign business chambers. 

The event, themed “Sailing together toward a better future,” showcased the district's investment environment and fostered collaboration with over 60 leading local enterprises in sectors like smart equipment, advanced materials, and biomedicine.

Loh Tuck Keat, Consul General of Singapore in Guangzhou, highlighted Huangpu's attractiveness, saying, “Huangpu is home to many Fortune 500 and multinational companies. Its commitment to innovation and openness makes it an ideal destination for foreign investment.”

“For example, the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City is a significant bilateral project,” added Loh, “which has made remarkable progress in promoting industrial development and technological innovation.”

As a key hub for Guangzhou's opening up, foreign investment has always been a critical topic here in Huangpu. In 2023, the district's actual use of foreign investment surpassed $3 billion for the first time, accounting for 44.4% of the city's total and ranking first among national economic development zones for five consecutive years. 

During the visit, diplomatic representatives explored cutting-edge technologies, including air mobility solutions from XPENG AEROHT and EHang. XPENG AEROHT, Asia's largest flying car company, recently began construction on a production facility in Huangpu, which will manufacture the world's first mass-produced flying cars. Meanwhile, EHang's passenger drones have achieved significant milestones in airworthiness certification and commercial applications.

Panika Pittayavestsoonthon, Consul of Thailand, noted that Huangpu's advanced technologies, like EHang's drones, are supporting Thailand's tourism and agriculture sectors. She expressed optimism for deepened China-Thailand cooperation, particularly as the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties approaches in 2025.

Martin Klose, Executive Director of the German Chamber of Commerce in South and Southwest China, said that Huangpu's ecosystem combines industrial clusters with family-friendly outdoor spaces, making it both livable and business-friendly. 

“Germany's expertise in green technology, particularly in hydrogen energy, can contribute to Huangpu's sustainable development.”

As of now, Huangpu houses over 5,000 foreign-invested enterprises and 330 projects backed by Fortune 500 firms. 

For the past ten months in 2024, 248 new foreign-invested enterprises were established in the district, an 11.7% year-on-year increase. High-tech industries accounted for 60.9% of the district's actual use of foreign investment.