1. Production factors are fully concentrated

The finance industry, financial markets, financial resource scale and the profit-making level of financial organizations in Guangdong top the country in terms of revenue. At present, financial relationships continue to deepen between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. With close cooperation from Hong Kong International Financial Center, an internationally competitive central financing area is taking shape around the Pearl River Delta.

Guangdong's education system is reasonably structured with complete supporting facilities to provide high-quality talent for economic and social development. The province owns over 130 institutions of higher learning, 385 county-level and above state-owned research and development organizations, scientific and technological information organizations and literature organizations. There are also 2,692 technical development organizations subordinate to the industrial enterprises above the designated size owned by the province. Guangdong is home to nine national engineering laboratories, 23 national-level engineering research centers, 46 provincial-level engineering laboratories and 1,390 provincial-level engineering research centers.

2. The infrastructure is growing complete

As of the end of 2014, the region is connected by a total of 212,000 kilometers of highway, including 6,280 kilometers of expressways. In 2014, the ports above the designated size processed a goods handling capacity of 1.56 billion tons, with port containers processing a handling capacity of about 52.92 million standard containers. The capacity of electricity installed throughout the entire province reaches approximately 80 GW; the installed capacity of nuclear power tops China's other provinces.

3. Various Parks Have Diversified Functions Guangdong owns six national-level economic and technological development zones, nine national-level high-tech industry development zones, 17 bonded logistics supervision zones, 36 provincial-level industrial parks and a number of provincial-level development zones.

4. Port customs clearance is efficient and convenient

The air, land and sea ports in Guangdong are comprehensive with a perfectly supportive infrastructure. The province has opened 54 first-rate ports. The whole province has adopted GPS technologies to conduct rapid customs clearances of large-scale ships in Hong Kong and Macao. It opens a "green passage" for credible enterprises, offering them convenient measures such as appointed customs clearances, door-to-door checks and guaranteed discharges, in an ongoing effort to optimize its customs process.

Guangdong continually strives to improve customs services and efficiency by enhancing the integration of ports and docks, improving upon infrastructure construction and promoting the integration and sharing of regulatory supervision resources. The province also continues to boost port relationships with European and American countries, countries along the Maritime Silk Road, Hong Kong-Macao-Taiwan area and the Pearl River Delta.

5. The market capacity keeps enlarging

The per capita income of urban and rural residents in Guangdong has been steadily increasing over consecutive years; the consumption ability keeps being strengthened and the market space remains broad. In 2014, the per capita disposable income of the urban residents in the province reached 32,148 yuan ($4,749); the total income per capita of rural residents reached 12,246 yuan. The total retail sum of consumer goods in the province reached 2,847.12 billion yuan; the total amount has rank at top of the country for 32 consecutive years.

6. The investment and service system is complete

Guangdong displays great initiative in connecting with the international economy, operates its economy according to market economy regulations and international conventions, protects intellectual property rights (IPR) and maintains the legal rights of its investors. Guangdong has set up multi-layered promotional investment intermediaries and working bodies. The province owns a complete administrative management system, and provides convenient and efficient services in terms of enterprise setup, management licenses, talent recruitment, property rights registration and cross-border trade.

7. Large-scale exhibitions are world-famous

Guandong is a great proponent of the international, professional and trade-oriented exhibition industry. The China Import and Export Fair is a comprehensive international trade gala featuring a long history of high level, large scale productions, and is considered to be one of the best and most attended business events in China.

8. The living environment remains comfortable and convenient

With a forest coverage reaching 60 percent, Guangdong is home to green mountains, clear waters and an agreeable climate. The province has extensive cultural facilities, including 147 mass art and cultural galleries, 137 county-level and above public libraries, 175 museums and memorial halls, over 5,000 cultural squares above the designated size, 22 broadcast stations and 24 TV stations.

Guangdong has an excellent living environment. The Pearl River Delta area has a high-standard of living, which can satisfy the different needs of domestic and overseas investors alike. Recently, Guangdong has set up 16 schools for foreign children, as well as schools for the children of Taiwanese businessmen, resolving educational concerns of investors.

Source:  Guangdong Business Guide 2015 (《广东投资指南2015》） released by Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province.