During an inspection tour last Friday (August 24) and Saturday to Guangdong, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said China should place more attention on the difficulties and uncertainties facing exports, which have taken a hit from global economic headwinds. During the trip, Wen visited several companies in cities of Guangzhou, Foshan and Dongguan, where he asked them to push forward structural adjustments, increase input in fostering innovation and make diversified strategies to adapt to the export markets. Wen stressed that he has full confidence in the future of Guangdong, and wishes Guangdong continue to deepen reform and opening up as a forerunner of the nation.

Zhanjiang introduces world's most eco-friendly steel base

A steel base in southern Guangdong's Zhanjiang city will soon become the world's most environmentally-friendly steel production base. A new project on Zhanjiang's Donghai Island, which began May this year, generates a yearly 10 million tons of steel. In the future, this steel base will welcome 8 billion Yuan (1.3 million USD)of investment and some 100 items of new green technologies. With these new technologies, this steel base is expected to cut emissions of dust, smoke, sulphur dioxide as well as save coal and water.

Guangzhou will establish sister-ship with 5 cities

Guangzhou will establish sister-city relations with 5 cities, including Istanbul of Turkey, Valencia of Spain, San Jose of Costa Rica, Harare of Zimbabwe and Kazan of Russia. At present, Guangzhou government is preparing for the signing of agreements with these counterparts. After establishing sister-ship, Guangzhou will work to strengthen bilateral collaboration and communication in fields of economy and trade and culture and tourism through mutual visits, investment and tourism conferences.

Zhongshan Association Convention gathers overseas Chinese

A Convention was held in San Francisco from Saturday to Monday to unite overseas Chinese of Zhongshan origin from around the world. Launched first in 1996, the event is held every two years. This was the first year for it to be held in the US.

GZ initiates first lottery for car license plates

Guangzhou this week carried out its first round of lottery and auction for car license plates, following the practice of Beijing and Shanghai to cap the number of cars on the road. Of the 6544 spots for lottery, 1090 are for individual and company applicants of new-energy cars. Because applicants of new-energy cars are less than the set quotas, all can automatically get registration certificates. The average auction price for individual car license plates was 22,822 yuan (3622 USD), whereas the average price for company ones was over 25,500 yuan (4047 USD). Guangzhou in August, by way of lotteries, began capping new car ownership at 10,000 a month.

Government goes e-commerce to promote made-in-Guangdong products

Beginning this Thursday (August 30), Guangdong government will launch a 4-month on-line sales campaign to promote made-in-Guangdong products.

The government, for the promotion, has opened an official website hoping to push forward e-commerce. Vice director of Guangdong’s Economic and Information Commission Qi Zhenli said over a hundred companies will take part in this campaign, mainly providing high-tech electronics, smart home appliances and brands with a long-standing history.

China processing trade products fair opens in Dongguan in September

The 2012 China processing trade products fair will be held in Guangdong’s Dongguan city on September 16th. Co-launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Guangdong Government, it’s the only national-level expo directly serving the upgrading of the processing trade.

GD will adopt tax reform in November

Guangdong’s transportation industry and part of the modern service industry will benefit from trial tax reforms to be launched in November, which will involve an estimated 190,000 enterprises. They will no longer pay the business tax but instead pay added value tax. The trial reform is expected to save companies 10 billion yuan (1.6 billion USD) collectively, according to the Guangdong Department of Finance.