Once described as the factory of the world, southern China's Guangdong is investing in a new vision of the future.

The view of Huizhou, a prefecture-level city in the heart of Guangdong Province.[File photo/huizhou.cn]

In the years since the country first established its reform and opening-up policy, the province has been China's leading manufacturing base. Located in the center of the province, Huizhou has begun to reorient its traditional manufacturing-based economy around another of China's radical development strategies together with the country's newly proposed 13th Five Year Plan.

Speaking at the 2015 International Conference on the Cultural-Social Development of Huizhou on November 18, Mayor Mai Jiaomeng, said, "The 'Belt and Road' initiative represents an unprecedented opportunity to deepen Huizhou's comprehensive development."

Essentially, the initiative is a policy framework encouraging investment and economic cooperation between China and countries along both the ancient Silk Road trade route and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Representative of city's commitment is the increased expansion and reorientation of the Huizhou Zhongkai High Tech Industrial Development Zone.

First established in 1992, the High Tech Zone has long been a pillar of the local economy, cementing the city's reputation as a hub for developing information technology. More than 2,000 enterprises operate in Zhongkai, including several Fortune 500 companies such as Samsung, Sony, and LG.

"Using our foundation as a stable technological manufacturing base, we have begun to focus on innovation-led development; a trend that will help guide us toward the future," said Yang Pengfei, Director-General of the zone's administrative committee, speaking to a group of international journalists on November 17.

Yang spoke about his vision for future development of the Zhongkai High Tech Industrial Zone, saying, "We are making every effort to establish a comprehensive system for innovation by seeking experienced professionals, incubating high-tech start-ups, and offering scientific and technological services."

Local policymakers and officials in Huizhou have also taken heed of the country's newly proposed 13th Five Year Plan.

A key element is the concept of "ecological civilization," which exists as a strong mandate for future economic and industrial development by implementing policies in line with environmental conservation.

"It's very close to my heart," said Yang, speaking about his commitment to ensuring the Zhongkai Zone adheres to the idea of ecological civilization. "You cannot have future development of any kind, without a very close and determined consideration of environmental conservation."

In the years since the country first established its reform and opening-up policy, Huizhou has maintained its status as one of China's cleanest, most unpolluted cities amid increasing urbanization and industrialization.

"As one of China's earliest economic reform zones, we must continue to strike a balance between economic growth and ecological conservation," said Mayor Mai Jiaomeng.

Driven by an innovation-led economic reorientation, together with China's strong mandate for future ecological conservation, Huizhou's leadership continues to invest in this vision of the future, while remaining aware of the challenges that exist hand in hand with further development.

"In China, a crisis is seen as a chance to turn challenges into opportunities," said Yang Pengfei. "So we must take advantage of these opportunities to avoid a crisis in the future."

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