In the past two years, Guangzhou has made great efforts to revitalize its old urban areas, achieving strengthened urban functions, enriching city culture, cultivating a modern service industry and improving the business environment; and they have paid well off, according to the Guangzhou city government.

A work report recently submitted by the city's development and reform commission to the city's people's congress shows that in 2019, the city's GDP reached 2.36 trillion yuan ($360 billion), an increase of 6.8 percent year-on-year.

The venue for the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou features a modern, stylish design. CHINA DAILY

In the first three-quarters of 2020, its GDP grew by 1 percent, which is 3.7 percentage points higher than the first half of the year.

The report indicates that Guangzhou, as an international hub, has significantly enhanced its functions of transportation, information exchanges and cultural communication.

At present, the third-phase project of the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is under construction. A passenger throughput of 120 million is forecast to be realized after its completion.