From top, left to right: Aerial view of Zhuhai City from Mount Phoenix; Jintai Temple; Zhuhai Grand Theatre and the Deyuefang Restaurant on Yeli Dao; Hengqin New Area; the Statue of Fisher Girl, and Lover's Road;
Nickname(s):
City of Romance (浪漫之城); City of hundred islands (百岛之城)
Zhuhai was one of the original fourSpecial Economic Zones established in 1980, as well as one of China's premier tourist destinations, being called theChinese Riviera. While the city is located in the traditionallyCantonese-speaking province of Guangdong, a significant portion of the population is now made up ofMandarin-speaking economic migrants originally from inland provinces.
The core of Zhuhai,Xiangzhou District along withMacao are in the northeastern portion of the administrative division and are part of theGuangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, the biggest built-up area in the world with more than 65,565,622 inhabitants as of the 2020 census, encompassing Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, Zhongshan, Macau, the main part of Guangzhou, and small parts of Jiangmen and Huizhou cities but with Hong Kong not quite conurbated yet.
According to a report released in 2014 by theChinese Academy of Social Sciences, Zhuhai is the most liveable city in China.[4] Zhuhai is classified as a Medium-Port Metropolis.[5]
Zhuhai has had a long history in the development of the exhibition industry in China. Zhuhai was the first permanent motor racing facility in China and has become a centre for the local racing scene, as well as a semi-regular fixture on the international racing circuit, including theZhuhai Special Economic Zone.
The population of Zhuhai has experienced steady growth from 2014 to 2023. In 2014, the city's population was approximately 1.51 million, which increased to about 2.49 million by the end of 2023.
This bridge was first proposed byGordon Wu and contemplated bystakeholders, municipal governments in thePearl River Delta, the provincial government ofGuangdong, and the central government of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Before the government handover of Hong Kong, theBritish government also considered plans for a bridge. After 1997 the commercial interests of Hong Kong prompted the local government to consider the plans as well.[7]
Zhuhai borders theMacauSpecial Administrative Region (north and west),[8]: 113 and is 140 kilometres (87 miles) southwest ofGuangzhou. Its territory has 690 kilometres (429 miles) of coastline and 217 islands, of which 147 are over 500 square metres in area.[9]
The islands within the prefecture-level city of Zhuhai include a number of near-shore islands, often connected to the mainland by bridges or causeways (such asHengqin,Qi'ao, orYeli Islands), as well as some islands in the openSouth China Sea (theWanshan Archipelago). Some of the latter are actually geographically closer to Hong Kong than to the Zhuhai mainland. The jurisdiction ofNei Lingding Island, located in thePearl Riverestuary was transferred from Zhuhai to Shenzhen in 2009.[10]
Despite being located within the tropics, Zhuhai has ahumid subtropical climate affected by the East Asian Monsoon (Koppen classification Cwa) and moderated by the South China Sea, with long, hot and humid summers with frequent thunderstorms, and short, mild and dry winters. Average highs in January and July are 18 and 32 °C (64 and 90 °F) respectively. Snowfalls are unknown and a frost has never been recorded in the city centre. Conversely, extreme heat waves do not occur as they do further inland. Being named one of the most liveable cities in China, real estate is robust here. Residents from the mainland, especially those from the North, will buy homes and spend their winters in Zhuhai.
Climate data for Zhuhai, elevation 51 m (167 ft), (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1981–2010)
In 1980 the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) announced that the city of Zhuhai would be one of four special economic zones. Those doing business in the SEZ are eligible for a range of incentives provided by the PRC.[13] Zhuhai became a city in 1979, a year before it was designated as one of the firstSpecial Economic Zones of China (SEZ). Similarly to neighbouringShenzhen, which became the first Special Economic Zone of China in 1978, the implementation of Zhuhai as an SEZ was largely due to its strategic position adjacent to Macau, a capitalist trading center similar to Shenzhen's position with Hong Kong.
The establishment of Zhuhai as an SEZ allowed the Chinese Central Government and economy to have easier access to the Macau and consequently, global market. As a result, Zhuhai is now a major city in the Pearl River Delta region according to the new general urban plan approved by theState Council. The implementation of Special Economy Zone intended for the city to become a key port city, science and education city, scenic and tourism city, and as a regional hub for transportation.
The outstanding geographic location, a wide range of supporting infrastructure and a deep-water port serve as a major attraction for foreign capital. Utilized foreign investment reached US$10.344 billion in 2008. Among the top 500 enterprises worldwide, 19 of them have investment projects in Zhuhai such asExxonMobil,BP,Siemens,Carrefour andMatsushita.
Industrial development in Zhuhai focuses on five new high-tech and heavy industries includingelectronics, computer software,biotechnology andpharmacy, machinery and equipment as well aspetrochemical industries. Aiming to strengthen the existing industrial base as well as to provide a better environment for the development of new high-tech industries, the local government has taken the initiative in developing five economic zones:
As one of the four earliest Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in China, Zhuhai SEZ was set up in the year 1980 and granted with a local legislative right. Zhuhai hi-tech zone is located in the north of Zhuhai, which is very close to downtown. Furthermore, technological resources are centralised in our zone; there is also a huge development in hi-tech industries led by the software and IC industries. The hi-tech zone is the showcase for Zhuhai's scientific development.[14]Meizu is one high tech product headquartered in Zhuhai.
Zhuhai Free Trade Zone (Zhuhai FTZ) was founded in 1996 with the State Council's approval, occupying 3 km2 (1.2 sq mi). A Zhuhai FTZ Administrative Committee was set up in June 1997. By the end of 2006 there had been over 200 companies registered in the Free Trade Zone, including more than 150 foreign-funded enterprises, and the total investment amount was one billion US dollars. Industries encouraged in the zone include electronics assembly and manufacturing, telecommunications equipment, building/construction materials, instruments and industrial equipment production, medical equipment and supplies, raw material processing,research and development, shipping/warehousing/logistics, and heavy industry.[15][16]
The Wanshan archipelago is located in one of the major fishing areas of China and is core to the Wanshan ocean development testing zone. However,Perna viridis, a species of green mussel, was found to be contaminated by HCHs, DDTs, and PCBs.[17][18]
In April 2023 theNational Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has published for the Hengqin economic development zone a list of industries that are illegible for investment policies, includingincome tax benefits for workers. The stated aim of the investment policy is to integrateMacao with key industries in thePearl River Delta.[19]
Zhuhai manufactured and supplied 70 per cent of the world's ribbons, 60 per cent of the world's aftermarketinkjet cartridges and 20 per cent of the world's third-party laser toner cartridges. Their combined sales were worth more than 1.3 billion US dollars or 10 per cent of all the sales in the world. Zhuhai owns a comprehensive supply chain and almost any of the raw materials needed by the printer consumables industry can be provided locally.
Zhuhai Jinwan Airport (IATA:ZUH,ICAO:ZGSD), formerly Zhuhai Sanzao Airport, an international airport connecting all provincial capital cities in Mainland China (exceptXining andLhasa) and many other major cities, hosting an annualair show and an exhibition hall, with Chinese space rockets located in Jinwan District.
Jiuzhou Airport [zh] (珠海九洲机场), verbally "Jiuzhou Heliport (九州直升机场)")[24] (ICAO:ZGUH), is located in Xiangzhou district, near the Jiuzhou harbour, and has short plane runway and a helipad. Its place inside Jiuzhou inner district, permits quick transport of injured people from surrounding islands to the city hospitals. China Southern Airlines offer sightseeing flights and charters to drilling stations in South China Sea usingSikorsky S-76 helicopters via this airport as well. They used to fly to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport from this airport usingCessna C208 Caravan as well, but the route was discontinued.
Zhuhai Railway Station is located at the western end ofGongbei Port of Entry andPortas do Cerco at the border of Zhuhai and Macau. There are frequenthigh speed trains to Guangzhou, Guilin, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and other main cities in China. The intercity railway between Zhuhai Gongbei and Zhuhai Jinwan International Airport is under construction. It is expected to be opened to Hengqin in November 2019, and the whole project will be completed in 2024. It will take only 30 minutes to commute from urban district to the airport using the completed line.
Zhuhai also has atram network, with the first phase of Line 1 completed in 2014. In 2017, Line 1 began service to the public. The trams ceased running in January 2021 due to frequent power issues and low patronage.
Zhuhai is known for its good climate and good air quality. Endowed with a long coastline, it is the only city on the western Pearl River Delta with natural deep-water ports.[citation needed]
Zhuhai has two internationalseaports:Jiuzhou (九洲港) and Gaolan (高栏港). Gaolan Port is one of the leading ports in Guangdong province, whileJiuzhou Port focuses on heavy passenger sea transport.[citation needed]
The G94 Pearl River Delta Ring Expressway, which will form a beltway surrounding the Guangzhoumetropolitan area when completed, currently connects Zhuhai to theSanshui District ofFoshan. In 2018 the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge opened, reducing the travel time by road from Zhuhai to Hong Kong in approximately 40 minutes. G94 was extended to follow this bridge, with sections currently under construction connecting the bridge to the Zhuhai-Foshan section.
A spur route of the mainlineG4 Beijing–Hong Kong and Macau Expressway, G0425 directly links Guangzhou to Zhuhai (and thus, Macau). It has a concurrency with G94 for several kilometres. Heavy traffic between Zhuhai and Macau has led to the construction of a new cross-border corridor, theLotus Bridge, built in November 1999 to divert traffic away from the congestedGongbei Port of Entry (Portas do Cerco). G0425 currently ends in Zhuhai at Zhuhai Avenue, pending an extension to the Lotus Bridge viaHengqin island.
Xiangzhou fishing harbour, with the forested Yeli Island in the horizon
Zhuhai and the surrounding landscapes were developed into an industrial output zone in the 1980s. Prior to that, Zhuhai generated economic development on the basis of tourism, benefiting from the comfortable subtropical climate. Zhuhai enjoys the reputation of a coastal garden city. When environmental pollution from the manufacturing industries threatened the quality of life, Zhuhai introduced strict environmental laws and hired engineers from Singapore to assist the city withurban planning.[29]
Jintai Temple inDoumen, a tourist attraction rebuilt in the 1990s on the site of a historical temple complex.
Realizing the benefits brought by tourism, the local government is expanding tourist destinations and is developing new spots such asHengqin (横琴岛), Dong'ao (东澳),Hebao (荷包), Qi'ao (淇澳岛) and Yeli (野狸).
The New Yuan Ming Palace (simplified Chinese:圆明新园;traditional Chinese:圓明新園) is a park of 1.39 square kilometres (0.54 square miles), including an 80,000 m2 (861,113 sq ft) lake. It features a partial reconstruction of theOld Summer Palace in Beijing which was destroyed during theSecond Opium War and was never rebuilt on its original site.[30]
The coast of Xianglu Bay is considered the "symbol" of Zhuhai, offering a scenic view of Pearl River Delta with silt-rich water, rocks, and a beach. The famous landmark of the city,Zhuhai Fisher Girl, stands elegantly on a boulder in Xianglu Bay; the statue is draped by a fishnet and holds a pearl high in the air with both hands up to the sky, symbolising a vigorous and lively Zhuhai welcoming visitors from all over the world. It was erected in 1982 byPan He, a professor from theGuangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, and is 8.7 metres (29 ft) tall and composed of 70 pieces of granite. Visitors can view the statue up close from a boardwalk on the shore.[31][32] The statue was based on a local legend, in which the daughter of the celestial Dragon King visited thePearl River delta, became a fisherwoman, and married a mortal.[33]
A number of other colleges and universities are also located in or near Zhuhai. Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Campus was created as a new model university. Besides its high quality of education, it is more internationally oriented than many universities in China. Many students here prepare to go abroad to finish their junior and senior years.
Despite the shortage of higher education, Zhuhai government has been paying a lot of attention to primary and secondary education. From 2007, high school students in Zhuhai needn't pay school fees any more.[34]
As a result, there are many famous high schools in Zhuhai.Zhuhai No.1 High School (ZH1Z) is one of the most competitive high schools in Guangdong Province, and also a member of the Guangdong "Six Schools Union".
Zhuhai is the first city in China to have constructed a motor racing circuit. TheZhuhai International Circuit was built in 1996 and is located at Jinding, near the border to Zhongshan. ZIC has held the BPR Global GT Endurance Series in 1996, theFIA GT Championship in 1997, 1999, 2004 and 2005. It hosted the championship's 2007 opening round on 24 and 25 March. ZIC had planned to host a round of theChamp Car World Series on 20 May 2007, but agreement was not reached. ZIC held anA1GP race in 2007 for the first time in series' history. ZIC became the first venue in China to host theIntercontinental Le Mans Cup on 7 November 2010 when the2010 1000 km of Zhuhai was staged.
Zhuhai has also a new tennis center which hostsWTA Elite Trophy, the last tournament of the year for players that are in the top 20 but did not qualify toWTA Finals.
^Anthony G. O. Yeh, ed. (2006).Developing a Competitive Pearl River Delta in South China Under One Country two Systems. Hong Kong University Press. p. 407.ISBN9789622097674.
^"Express Link Service".Macau International Airport. Retrieved9 May 2018. – "Land to Air" discusses procedures for Gongbei, and at "Air to Sea": "Our professional team will deliver your baggage directly to the Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal/Pac On Pier, or Hengqin Border at Mainland." refers to Lotus Bridge which is at Hengqin.
^"Ferry Transfer".Hong Kong International Airport. Retrieved8 May 2018.
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