The Liwan District of Guangzhou announced GDP growth of more than 6.5 percent for 2023, with fixed asset investment growth of 20 percent.

The Liwan government revealed that figure at a high-quality development meeting on January 30. It invited major government officials and business leaders to share their plans for 2023 and highlighted Liwan's advantages in developing manufacturing, business, the service industry, culture, and tourism.

The Liwan government reported that Liwan's GDP increased by 1.1 percent to 121.56 billion RMB in 2022, placing Liwan seventh in Guangzhou and still exceeding the average GDP affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. The growth rate of many major indicators, such as industry, fixed investment, social investment, total tax revenue, general public budget revenue, and expenditure, ranked among the top in Guangzhou.

Lin Guodong, director of Liwan's development and reform bureau, highlighted their cooperation with the rest of the GBA and emphasized the growth of their innovation together with Hengqin, Qianhai, and Nansha.

"Cooperating with Nansha, Liwan District will transfer scientific and technological achievements from Hong Kong and Macao to innovative products in the health industry. Liwan District will promote the GBA comprehensive pilot area for medicine and health by using the technology advantage from the clinical research center for respiratory disease and contribute to Liwan's high-quality development," Lin said.

The tourist-friendly Liwan District is home to well-known cultural hubs like Chen Clan Academy, Yongqing Fang, Shamian, and Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street.

Using all available cultural resources, such as Lingnan cuisine, commerce, zen, chess, and veranda, Liwan District will turn pedestrian streets into Lingnan food culture and customs streets, according to Chen Pengjie, Secretary of the Party Committee of Linhua Subdistrict. Liwan District will also investigate new business models, such as catering, cultural product retailing, and cultural experience consumption.