Guangdong has unveiled its 15th Five-Year Plan, setting an ambitious and forward-looking blueprint for development from 2026 to 2030. At its core is a vision to elevate the Greater Bay Area into a dynamic, world-class urban cluster with strong international competitiveness.

The plan outlines eight priority areas, spanning economic growth, technological innovation, urban–rural coordination, reform, quality of life, and sustainability. Guangdong is targeting average annual GDP growth of around 5 percent, alongside a steady rise in research and development investment at a similar pace.

Innovation will be a key driver, with high-value invention patents expected to reach 45 per 10,000 people by 2030, up from 32.15 in 2025. The digital economy is also set to expand, with core industries projected to account for 18 percent of GDP.

Living standards are set to improve in tandem, with income growth aligned to economic expansion and life expectancy rising to 81.5 years.

The province also highlighted strong momentum from 2021 to 2025, with GDP reaching 14.58 trillion yuan and foreign trade leading the nation for a 40th consecutive year.