Remarkable achievements have been made during the past twenty years in the Zhuhai SEZ (Special Economic Zone). At the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, the government worked out the reform and the open policy which brought forth a developing opportunity with historic significance for Zhuhai. In August of 1980, the Zhuhai SEZ was set up, which brought great change to Zhuhai. During the past twenty years, the Zhuhai SEZ followed Deng Xiaoping's socialism theory of building China with its own characteristics. Under the wise leadership of the Central Party Committee, the State Council, the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and the Guangdong Government, the Zhuhai people worked perseveringly and make a pioneering advancement and concerted efforts. A modem garden-style seaside city and SEZ began to take its shape. Twenty years is just a flash in the long history. However, for Zhuhai, it's an earthshaking period when remarkable achievements were made.
1. With economic construction as center, comprehensive social developments have been promoted.
2. The national economy has developed rapidly, and the economic power has been stren gthened greatly.
In 1979, when the city was first set up, the GDP of Zhuhaiwas only 210 million RMB, while in 1998, it was estimated to be 26.5 billion RMB, With an 65 times increase. That means an increase on average 24.6% a year, in the same period, the primary industry increase by 5.3 times, on average 9.1% a year; the secondary, 14 times, 29.9% a year; the tertiary, 109 times, 28% a year. The proportion of the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries was adjusted to 5.1:52.6:42.3 in 1998 from the year 1997's 38.5:30.6:30.9. The secondary and tertiary industries are playing a more and more important role in the development of the national economy. The structure of industries has tended to be more reasonable step by step. The course of industrialization has made of breakthrough progress. In 1998, GDP per capita reached 23,000 RMB (about 2,778 U.S. dollars) with a 38 times increase, compared with that of 1979.
The gap between income and expenditure for the general budget of the local finance was 780 million RMB. 42.7 billion RMB was invested in capital construction, and 1.8 billion RMB in transformation and innovation. The new addition of accumulative fixed assets amounted to 33.5 billion RMB.
2. Public undertaking has developed vigorously and people's life has improved continuously. Since the adoption of the reform and the opening up policy, Zhuhai has been exercising the policy of "developing both economy and culture, and developing both vigorously", carrying out bold reforms and making great investment in science, technology, education, culture, hygiene and sports. In the past twenty years, Zhuhai has spent several billions on these undertakings, which account to 28.8% of the local financial expenditure of the same period. As a result, the public enterprises have developed vigorously. Zhuhai has adopted the strategy of "prospering the city by science and education". In 1992, it became the first in China to set up bonus funds for science and technology, awarding scientific and technological personnel and 30 projects, among which 16 won special prizes. This created quite a stir and produced positive influences. The crew of science and technology were expanded, and its level greatly improved.
Zhuhai has carried out 98 "Torch" projects, including 47 national ones and 51 provincial ones, producing 7 billion yuan RMB gross production value. It has implemented 44 "Sparkle" projects with a gross production value of 3.7 billion yuan RMB. High-tech industry has gradually become the leading industry of local economy. In 1997, the contribution of science and technology amounts to 42% of the local economy increase. It has also deepened the education reform, and, as a result, the education conditions and teaching faculties have been continually improved, and the quality of education developed.