A delegation of 60 diplomats from 37 countries recently toured Guangdong province in southern China to observe firsthand the region’s economic transformation and innovation ecosystem. The visit, conducted over five days in June, included stops in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai, showcasing Guangdong’s role as a hub of technological advancement, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and international cooperation.

Among the visitors was Jaime FlorCruz, the Philippine ambassador to China, who first traveled to China as a student in 1971. He noted the dramatic change in Shenzhen, once a modest fishing village, now a global center for innovation, entrepreneurship, finance, and advanced manufacturing. FlorCruz described Shenzhen’s growth as a testament to China’s strategic approach of launching pilot programs in select regions before scaling successful initiatives nationwide. He cited the city’s development within the framework of the Special Economic Zone model and its broader replication across areas including Pudong in Shanghai and the Hainan Free Trade Port.

Mongolian Ambassador Nyamaa Enkhbold emphasized the significance of public engagement in China’s reform process, highlighting the challenge of shifting societal mindsets to embrace change. He reflected on China’s rapid evolution since his first visit in 1991 and underscored the importance of aligning Mongolia’s updated five-year development plan with China’s current 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), considering that a significant majority of Mongolian trade and foreign investment involves China.

Kenyan Ambassador Willy Bett pointed to Shenzhen’s experience as a valuable reference for Kenya, which is developing multiple special economic zones. He noted that Kenya is drawing lessons on infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and operational management from China’s earlier policies to improve its own zones. Bett also highlighted Kenya’s progress in renewable energy, with over 90 percent of its energy derived from such sources, and expressed interest in deeper cooperation with Guangdong’s companies to accelerate sustainable industrial development.

The delegation witnessed several cutting-edge technologies during their visit, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, intelligent manufacturing of new energy vehicles, and robotics in everyday applications. Austrian Ambassador Wolf Dietrich Heim remarked on China’s advances in electric vehicles, many of which are produced domestically and exported to Europe, noting the strong Austria-China collaboration in mobility and green energy sectors.

At Mingyang Smart Energy Group’s headquarters in Zhongshan, diplomats engaged in discussions on clean energy development and bilateral cooperation. Pakistan’s Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, present at the meeting, highlighted his country’s ongoing efforts to diversify its energy portfolio and its interest in expanded partnerships with Chinese enterprises.

Guangdong’s strategic location and role as a gateway to global markets also received attention. Bett described China’s policy of opening up as beneficial internationally, citing the increasing trade and direct flight connections between Guangdong and Nairobi that facilitate commerce, tourism, and business exchanges between China, Kenya, and the East African region. Turkish Ambassador Selcuk Unal noted that Guangdong accounts for a substantial portion of his country’s trade with China and serves as a key destination for Chinese and Turkish investment, with ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation between enterprises.

The diplomats broadly recognized the significance of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan as a blueprint guiding economic and social development in the coming years. Fiji’s Ambassador Robert Lee remarked on China’s long-term planning approach and its relevance for smaller nations seeking focused development strategies. He pointed out the increasing emphasis Chinese enterprises place on responsible investment practices abroad, including environmental protection and inclusive growth.

El Salvador’s Ambassador Luis Oswaldo Lopez Alvarez highlighted emerging sectors such as clean energy and agricultural technology as promising areas for expanded collaboration, drawn from insights gained during the visit. He expressed optimism about deepening cooperation grounded in shared development goals.

Collectively, the diplomats viewed Guangdong’s experience as illustrative of China’s broader path of reform, innovation, and opening-up, offering models and opportunities for international partnerships supporting sustainable growth and technological progress.