Based on an article from PR Newswire, June 2017
For more than 2000 years, Guangzhou has been the trade center of southern China. Its prominent status in trade has earned it the reputation of "Millennia Business City". Since China implemented its policy of reform and opening up in 1978, Guangzhou has been right at the forefront.
Guangzhou, one of the most dynamic economic areas across the globe, has been the pioneer in opening up China to the world over the past 30 years. In 2016, the city's GDP reached about two trillion yuan ($294.4bn), equivalent to that of Singapore and neighboring Hong Kong.
In recent years, Guangzhou has been encouraging enterprises in the traditional sectors to invest in upgrading technology, with an emphasis on smart manufacturing and robotics. In the vehicle manufacturing industry, the number of robots for welding and spraying used by auto makers such as Dongfeng Nissan, Guangqi Toyota and Guangqi Honda has exceeded 400.