8.5% actual economic growth supported by projects

A GDP growth of 8.5 percent in goods and services is forecast in the Zhuhai 2018 Plan for National Economic & Social Development. Called for is greater focus on supply-side structural reform to boost the "real economy" excluding trade on financial markets.

Value-added growth for industrial enterprises above designated size is projected at 10.5 percent. Meanwhile, total retail sales of consumer goods are to increase by 11 percent. And, fixed-asset investment is to rise by 18 percent.

Targets will be met via continued growth of the "real economy." According to the report, emphasis will be put on creating a provincial-level Intelligent Manufacturing Demonstration Base and Advanced-Equipment Manufacturing Industrial Belt on the west bank of the Pearl River.

Specific segments of the document include Gree Electric Appliances' plan to build an intelligent manufacturing industrial park. Other priorities include construction of ABB Robotics Industrial Science Park at the Technological Innovation Coast of the National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone (Tangjiawan), Yunzhou-Tech USV Technology Harbor on the coast of Tangjiawan, and a Doumen District manufacturing base exemplifying Industry 4.0 development led by Flextronics Manufacturing (Zhuhai).

Also planned is an integrated urban center consisting of Hengqin New Area, Hongwan area, and the Zhuhai Free Trade Zone. Renovation of the banks of the Maliuzhou Waterway between Hengqin New Area and the Free Trade Zone in Wanzai is also advocated. At the same time, Tangjiawan Science & Education New Town will be assisted in improving surrounding roads in areas including Beiwei, Houhuan, and Qianhuan.

Full-scale construction of the Initial Area of Western Eco-New Town will begin this year to ensure balanced urban and rural development. Land will be set aside for Aviation New Town Middle School, Zhuhai International Sports Center in Jinwan District, and Doumen Exhibition Center, as well as a public transit hub in south Fushan New Town. Neighborhood centers, kindergartens, and primary schools will be built. Pingsha New Town Central Park is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Construction will be sped up on the Xianghai and Honghe bridges, Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway Phase I, Xingye Express Road North Section, extension of Xianghai Bridge, and Jinhai Highway & Bridge. The Zhuhai Airport Urban Rail Transit Phase I should be open for traffic by the end of 2018.

Meanwhile, improvement of urban roads will receive equal attention with greater emphasis. Foremost are Jinqin Express Road, Xingye Road Fast Corridor, and the south section of Lovers Avenue, including both main and auxiliary lines. Work on three additional tunnels through Banzhang Mt will also commence this year.

As for public transit, the city government plans to add 400 electric buses and more than 10 new routes while raising "smart traffic" management to new levels.

The government is also fulfilling the housing needs of Zhuhai talents, such as entrepreneurs and employees from Hong Kong and Macao. Upcoming is a multi-level housing supply for both buyers and renters.

The plan, adopted at the 5th Session of the 9th Zhuhai Municipal People's Congress on Jan 16, was released on Feb 14. Its objective is to bolster Zhuhai's position as a regional transportation hub supported by the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge later this year.