Guangzhou Liwan, the birthplace of modern industrial development in Guangdong, once thrived with heavy industries like Guangzhou Iron and Steel and Guangzhou Shipyard. However, the district has long struggled with limited industrial space in its aging urban core. The evolution of Liwan’s industrial parks tells a story of transformation—overcoming spatial constraints through "relocation, expansion, and upgrading," fostering specialized industries via "five-chain synergy," and growing from fragmented businesses into a modern urban industrial cluster. The journey can be divided into key phases:
1. **Early Foundations and Development Challenges: Strong Industrial Roots, Limited Space** Liwan’s industrial legacy dates back to the modern era, with major enterprises like Guangzhou Iron & Steel, Guangzhou Shipyard, and Guangzhou Diesel Engine laying a solid foundation. However, urban expansion exposed the district’s limitations. Scarce land resources forced many companies to operate offices in Liwan while relocating production elsewhere. For instance, Xinzhidi Environmental, founded in Liwan’s Shamian in 1999, had to move its manufacturing base to Qingyuan due to a lack of suitable local facilities, complicating operations. Additionally, outdated factory buildings struggled to meet the needs of emerging industries, leaving Liwan with industrial heritage but inadequate space for modern urban manufacturing.
2. **Breaking Barriers: Expanding Space Through "Relocation, Expansion, and Upgrading"** In early 2023, Liwan pivoted toward modern urban industry, prioritizing spatial optimization. The 1906 Tech Park, a repurposed industrial site, retained production-grade infrastructure, attracting hydrogen-energy firms like Yihuatong and evolving into an AI and IoT hub. Simultaneously, Liwan accelerated the development of Hailongwei Sci-Tech Zone, a critical Guangzhou-Foshan link, hosting high-end parks like Baihesha Industrial Park and Lingnan V-Valley. By 2024, the Guangzhou Liwan Industrial Park—the city’s first provincial-level industrial park—integrated three zones (Dongsha, Hailongwei, and Zhongnan), adding substantial new space. A three-year plan further aims to deliver 6 million square meters of premium industrial facilities.
3. **Industrial Upgrade: Cultivating Cluster Advantages in Niche Sectors** With space constraints alleviated, Liwan leveraged its strengths to build specialized clusters. In laser and additive manufacturing, the district established dedicated funds, task forces, and industrial complexes, drawing leaders like Han’s Laser and partnering with academic teams such as Harbin Institute of Technology’s Prof. Leng Jingsong. Over 88 upstream/downstream firms have signed cooperation agreements. In healthcare, the Guangzhou International Medical Port fostered clusters in traditional Chinese medicine and high-end medical devices. Companies like Ruitong Additive excelled in metal 3D printing for dental applications, with global market leadership in invisible aligner printers. These efforts solidified Liwan’s clusters in biopharma, advanced manufacturing, and consumer goods.
4. **Ecosystem Refinement: "Five-Chain Synergy" for Sustainable Growth** To transition from enterprise aggregation to ecosystem synergy, Liwan integrated Party-building, talent, industrial, innovation, and capital chains. A RMB 100 million industrial investment fund (targeting RMB 1 billion) and fiscal incentives cut business costs by 25%. Talent initiatives included housing, dining facilities, and a "15-minute live-work circle" to attract and retain skilled professionals. Innovation hubs bridged academia and industry, with tech managers accelerating R&D commercialization—e.g., research institutes partnered with 16 firms to advance materials and biotech applications. This holistic support system empowered sustained industrial upgrading.
5. **Regional Integration: A Model for Guangzhou-Foshan Collaboration** Capitalizing on its strategic location in the Guangzhou-Foshan economic hub, Liwan advanced cross-border industrial-urban integration. The Hailongwei Sci-Tech Zone, a pilot area for high-quality GZ-FS development, hosted HQs like VIP.com and Dashenlin, boosting local employment and infrastructure links. Lingnan V-Valley’s Phase I enhanced industrial corridor amenities through revitalized village-industrial zones. Beyond production, Liwan’s parks now blend work, life, and ecology—Hailongwei’s mixed-use development offers seamless access to transit, retail, and housing, exemplifying modern urban-industrial harmony.
**Supportive Policies for Investment and Growth** Liwan’s business-friendly policies span facility upgrades, corporate incentives, and talent retention: - **Facility Upgrades**: Subsidies cover 15–20% of renovation costs (up to RMB 1.5 million) for projects exceeding RMB 5 million, with bonuses for achieving incubator/accelerator status. - **Corporate Incentives**: Parks earn RMB 50,000 for attracting registered "above-scale" firms or those purchasing >500 sqm office space. Fast-tracked permits ensure swift onboarding. - **Industry-Specific Support**: Top-performing firms (e.g., e-commerce leaders) qualify for up to RMB 80 million rewards, while biotech and IT startups access a RMB 100 million investment fund. - **Promotion & Talent**: Marketing event reimbursements (50%, max RMB 200,000/year) and 70% reward-sharing for招商 teams incentivize growth. Education and residency perks further aid talent retention.
Through spatial innovation, targeted clusters, and regional synergy, Liwan’s industrial parks have emerged as a blueprint for urban-industrial revitalization.