Shunde - Economy

Economy

Since the implementation of the reform and opening up policy started in 1978, the Shunde people have been given full play of their advantages of geographical position and culture. This has allowed Shunde, once a traditional agricultural county, to gradually develop into a modern industrial boomtown. Shunde was approved as a pilot city for the comprehensive reform of Guangdong in 1993, and was appointed as a pilot city for taking the lead in basically accomplishing modernization in 1999. From 2000 to 2003, Shunde was ranked as the first among China County level Economic Basic Competitiveness Top 100 for four consecutive years, released by National Bureau of Statistics of China. In 2005 Shunde achieved a GDP of 2170.128 billion. Situated in the fertile Pearl River Delta, the economy of Shunde was once dominated by agriculture, fisheries and silk farming. Since the Chinese economic reform, these have been superseded by industrial manufacturing and development, especially the manufacture of furniture and electric appliances. Some mainland Chinese product brands like Kelon (科龙) or Midea are made in Shunde. A new technology industrial park has also been opened in Shunde, containing car manufacturers such as Toyota.

Today Shunde is becoming one of the wealthiest counties in Guangdong, and even in mainland China, according to official information from the Chinese Government and the United Nations. The GDP reached 127.5 billion yuan in 2007, an annual increase of 18%, and GDP per capita reached 107,991 yuan (ca. US$14,200).