Zhanjiang, China: Your Next Investment Destination in Asia Pacific

Zhanjiang is fast becoming one of southern China's most compelling investment destinations. Strategically located in the heart of the Asia-Pacific region, this emerging industrial city offers a rare combination of mega-scale infrastructure, clear government strategy, and generous foreign investment incentives.

With four multi-billion-dollar anchor projects already operational, a clear focus on green and blue industries, and a rapidly improving business environment, Zhanjiang presents a timely opportunity for foreign investors looking to expand in one of the world's most dynamic economic regions.

Figure 1: Zhanjiang's strategic location in southern China, facing Hainan across the Qiongzhou Strait, and its position on the Leizhou Peninsula in Guangdong province. Source: Bing Maps. Retrieved August 28, 2026.

Strategic Positioning

Zhanjiang serves as a convergence point for several national strategies, making it a highly attractive investment hub:

This strategic positioning means that investors in Zhanjiang are not just entering a local market — they are gaining a foothold in one of the fastest-growing trade corridors in the world.

Four Mega-Projects Already Landed

Zhanjiang's industrial foundation is anchored by four transformational mega-projects that have already established a robust industrial ecosystem:

“Four Greens and One Blue” Industrial Clusters

Zhanjiang's economic development strategy focuses on five key industrial clusters:

1. Green Steel

• Advanced steel materials, advanced metal materials, machinery equipment manufacturing, auto parts, prefabricated steel structures

• Total production capacity: 12.8 million tons

• 2025 total output value: RMB 53.2 billion

2. Green Petrochemical

• Output value: Exceeding RMB 130 billion

• Scale: 15 million tons/year oil refining, 1.8 million tons/year ethylene

• Cooperation directions: Fine chemicals, high-end new materials, high-performance chemicals

3. Green Energy

• National-level zero-carbon industrial park

• National hydrogen pilot park

• Low-carbon energy city advantages

4. Green Food

• 4 national-level modern agricultural industrial zones (Ranking 1 in Guangdong)

• 26 provincial-level modern agricultural industrial parks (Ranking 1 in Guangdong)

• 75 national “Famous, Special, Premium, and New Agricultural Products” (Ranking 2 in Guangdong)

• 6.3 million mu of cultivated land (Ranking 1 in Guangdong)

• RMB 170+ billion industrial cluster

• Cooperation directions: Green food trade, deep processing of agricultural products, food production machinery, food packaging

5. Blue Ocean Economy

• Sea area: 21,000 km²

• Mainland coastline: 1,195.26 km

• Comprehensive competitiveness ranking: 19th nationwide, 3rd in Guangdong

• Marine fishery output and value consistently among China's top performers

• Cooperation directions: Whole-industry-chain investment in marine fisheries, deep-sea aquaculture equipment export, aquatic product processing and trade, seed industry technology cooperation

Foreign Investment Incentive Program

Guangdong Province has established a comprehensive incentive framework to attract and reward foreign investment. The “Special Implementation Plan for Further Intensifying Efforts to Attract and Utilize Foreign Investment in Guangdong Province” (Yue Shang Wu Gui Zi [2024] No. 2), effective from 2023 to 2027, offers substantial rewards to eligible foreign-invested enterprises.

1. Eligibility

Foreign-invested enterprises (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan-invested enterprises) legally established and registered in Guangdong Province. Enterprises in the financial and real estate sectors are not eligible.

2. Investment Rewards by Location

1) For enterprises in Zhanjiang (and the other 14 designated cities)

• Minimum threshold: USD 10 million in newly increased actual foreign capital
• High-tech manufacturing enterprises: Up to a 3% reward based on newly added actual foreign capital
• Other manufacturing & high-tech services: Up to a 2% reward
• Other industries: Up to a 1% reward

For example, a high-tech manufacturing enterprise injecting USD 20 million in new actual foreign capital could receive a reward of up to USD 600,000, subject to approval and the applicable annual and cumulative caps.

2) For enterprises in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, and Zhongshan 

• Minimum threshold: USD 50 million in newly increased actual foreign capital

• High-tech manufacturing enterprises: Up to a 3% reward

• Other manufacturing & high-tech services: Up to a 2% reward

• Other industries: Up to a 1% reward

3. Reward Caps

The cumulative maximum reward for manufacturing enterprises over the 2023-2027 period is RMB 150 million, making Zhanjiang one of the most generous incentive destinations in southern China.

4. Regional Headquarters Rewards

Foreign multinational corporations establishing regional headquarters in Guangdong Province may receive:

• One-time reward: RMB 5 million

• Minimum threshold for Zhanjiang: USD 5 million in new actual foreign capital

• Minimum threshold for Guangzhou/Shenzhen/Zhuhai/Foshan/Dongguan/Zhongshan: USD 10 million in new actual foreign capital

• Restriction: Each enterprise may apply only once during the implementation period

5. Talent Support

Newly recognized top-tier domestic and international talents, national-level and provincial-level leading talents are eligible for living subsidies:

• Top-tier talents: Up to RMB 3 million

• National-level leading talents: Up to RMB 2 million

• Provincial-level leading talents: Up to RMB 1 million

6. Additional Incentives

Infrastructure & Livability

1. National Comprehensive Transportation Hub

Zhanjiang is a premier logistics centre connecting China with ASEAN and global markets through:

• High-speed rail network

• Zhanjiang Wuchuan International Airport

• Deep-water port facilities

• Major transportation corridors

2. Green & Low-Carbon Energy City

• State-level Zero-Carbon Industrial Park: First batch of national zero-carbon parks

• National Hydrogen Pilot Park: Pioneering hydrogen energy development

• Top-tier air quality: Among the best nationwide and province-wide

3. Business & Living Environment

• Eco-friendly: "Dynamic City Favorable for Life and Career"

• Business-friendly: Comprehensive commercial support in place

• World-class seafood: "Capital of Seafood Cuisine of China"

Industrial Park Infrastructure

Zhanjiang offers extensive industrial park facilities to support investment:

15 Provincial-Level or Above Development Zones:

• 1 State-level Economic and Technological Development Zone

• 1 State-level Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone

• 1 Comprehensive Bonded Area

• 12 Provincial-level Industrial Parks or Development Zones

4 Major Key Areas:

• Zhanjiang High-Speed Rail New City

• Zhanjiang Wuchuan Airport Economic Zone

• Zhanjiang Xicheng District

• Shoukai District, Haidong New District

3 Provincial-Level Platforms:

• Large-scale industrial agglomeration area

• Zhanjiang Port Economic Zone (first batch of national zero-carbon parks)

• Zhanjiang Industry Orderly Transfer Platform (key provincial-level platform)

Science & Technology Innovation Platforms:

• Zhanjiang Bay Laboratory (provincial level)

• 3 industrial innovation centres (ocean, green chemical, modern agriculture)

• 15 incubators (5 national-level)

• 17 maker spaces (5 national-level)

Land & Facilities:

• Industrial land reserve: Over 666 hectares annually

• Standard factory workshop: 1.8 million m² already built

Why Zhanjiang?

Next Steps

Zhanjiang welcomes foreign investment across all non-restricted sectors. Whether you are a multinational corporation establishing a regional headquarters, a manufacturer seeking expansion, or a technology company exploring innovation opportunities, Zhanjiang offers the strategic position, infrastructure, and incentives to support your success.

For more detailed information, please refer to the official policy documents:

• Special Implementation Plan for Further Intensifying Efforts to Attract and Utilize Foreign Investment in Guangdong Province (Yue Shang Wu Gui Zi [2024] No. 2)

• Zhanjiang 2025 Provincial Special Funds for Foreign Investment Rewards Application Guide

How Fidinam can help

• Assess your company's eligibility for Guangdong's foreign investment rewards based on your industry classification, investment amount, and location
• Structure your investment and capital injection strategy to maximize incentive claims, including the up to 3% reward for high-tech manufacturing projects
• Prepare and submit your application for the RMB 150 million cumulative reward cap and regional headquarters incentives
• Navigate the compliance requirements for actual foreign capital verification, including documentation for foreign exchange registration, bank entry receipts, and capital contribution proofs
• Advise on optimizing your investment structure to meet the USD 10 million threshold for Zhanjiang while ensuring full alignment with provincial policy requirements
• Provide ongoing support on talent subsidies, scientific innovation funding, and financial services interest subsidies available to eligible enterprises

For tailored advice on your investment strategy, please contact Fidinam.