Hannan, a modern manufacturing hotspot

Junsha Avenue in Hannan district, administered by the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]

The Yangtze River flows across Hannan district, which is home to Shamao Port – an ice-free port – and 4,250 meters of coastlines. Since the district was put under the administration of the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ), it has been transformed from an inhospitable place to a hotspot for the modern manufacturing sector.

As a core piece of infrastructure of the General Aviation and Satellite Industrial Park, the Wuhan Hannan General Airport has extended its airstrip from 1,600 meters to 2,400 meters.

Meanwhile, the industrial park is home to Geely's drone project, doubling down efforts in sectors such as air sports, aviation manufacturing, core aircraft spare parts, and operation and maintenance of planes. An aerospace and aviation industrial cluster worth between 10 billion yuan ($1.57 billion) and 30 billion yuan is expected to take shape in the park by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

The park is also deploying an emergency rescue center for Central China, which involves a total investment of 1.2 billion yuan and is expected to be one of six regional emergency aid centers in China.

WEDZ will undertake the construction of its main function areas, which then will be capable of fast response to emergencies, offering professional medical aids, distributing emergency supplies, and fulfilling other tasks through coordination with disaster areas.

The Automobile and Auto Parts Industrial Park – another industrial park located in Hannan district – is focusing on raising the automobile value chain to a higher level. In promoting the digital transformation of traditional auto parts companies, the park has helped Xincheng Automotive Industrial Co, Fucheng Group Co and other firms upgrade their production lines.

Meanwhile, the park is trying to bring in more businesses involved in green energy, energy storage and recycling.

Hannan district has also revved up its infrastructure layouts: the trial operation of Line 16 has brought convenient subway services to residents, and the establishment of Junsha Avenue and Shamao Avenue, which run across the district, has connected Hannan with WEDZ and urban areas of Wuhan.