Foshan Balances Heritage and Innovation to Drive Industrial Growth — People.cn Company Limited (People's Daily Online)

Event summary

Foshan, a historical city in Guangdong province, has grown into a national recognized innovative city with two trillion-yuan industrial clusters in equipment manufacturing and pan-home furnishing.
The city has introduced 123 targeted reforms over the past five years to foster a first-class business environment, shifting from providing 'whatever services are available' to 'whatever services businesses need.'
In the first half of 2026, Foshan's furniture exports reached 10.21 billion yuan, up 11.8 percent year on year.
Foshan is home to 126,600 industrial enterprises and has established 25 proof-of-concept centers and 91 pilot-scale testing platforms.
The city has preserved its cultural identity while embracing innovation, with 15 national-level intangible cultural heritage items.

The big picture

Foshan's strategic blend of heritage and innovation positions it as a unique hub in the Pearl River Delta, attracting both traditional industries and cutting-edge technologies. The city's ability to foster a first-class business environment and preserve its cultural identity while driving industrial growth sets it apart in the broader manufacturing and innovation landscape. With a strong industrial foundation and a focus on digital technologies and intelligent manufacturing, Foshan is poised to expand its influence both domestically and internationally.

What we're watching

Industrial Ecosystem: How Foshan's highly integrated industrial ecosystem will continue to attract and support entrepreneurs and innovators.
Cultural Preservation: Whether Foshan can sustain its cultural identity while embracing modern innovation and urban renewal.
Global Expansion: The pace at which Foshan can expand its 'Made in Foshan' brand beyond products to encompass comprehensive solutions globally.