Guangdong is China's largest regional economy and is a global manufacturing centre. The "open door" policy in the 1980s allowed Guangdong to take advantage of its coastal position, proximity to Hong Kong, and historical links to overseas Chinese. Today Guangdong is one of the richest provinces in the nation, with three of China's special economic zones (Shenzhen, Shantou and Zhuhai).
Administrative type | Province |
Area | 177,900 km 2 (1.8% of China's total area) - over twice the size of Scotland |
Capital City | Guangzhou |
Other large cities | Shenzhen |
Population (2004) | 83 million (4th) 1 - similar to Germany |
GDP (2004) - per capita | US $194.1 billion (1st) - one third greater than Scotland's US $2,385 (6th) |
Consumption per capita (2004) | US $1,279 (4th) |
Foreign Direct Investment (2003) | US $7.8 billion (2nd) |
Exports Imports | US $192.4 billion (35.4% of China's total exports) US $170.9 billion (30.5% of China's total imports) |
Number of Universities (2004) Number of higher education graduates (2004) | 94 125,000 |
Source: China Statistical Yearbook 2005 | 1Regional rankings within China, 1st = highest, 31st = lowest |
Scottish Links
Government Links
There is a British Consulate-General and British Council office in Guangzhou.
In August 2000 the Chairman of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhu Senlin visited Scotland.
In January 2005 the Deputy First Minister met with the Mayor/Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal Government in Shenzhen.
Commercial Links
The China-Britain Business Council have an office in Shenzhen.
Scottish companies with a presence in Shenzhen include:
- Wilson & Garden
- NCT
- Wolfson Microelectronics
Educational/Science Links
The University of Glasgow have a Memorandum of Understanding on Student Recruitment and Development with Ying Hao College in Guangzhou.
Glasgow Caledonian University have a Memorandum of Agreement aimed at delivering short programmes in computing and engineering with South China Normal University in Guangzhou.
The University of Edinburgh are in early discussions with South China University of Technology in Guangzhou to set up formal links.
Elmwood College from Fife have a formal partnership agreement with the Tourism College in Shenzhen, and Shenzhen University
Cultural/Sports Links
National Museums of Scotland have links with Guangdong Museum and Shenzhen Museum.
The Executive is developing its database of Scottish links with each of China's regions. Do you know of any Sino-Scottish regional link that we have not included above or that is in need of updating? If so, please let us know by completing the regional links form.