On the coast of the South China Sea, gentle breezes bring refreshment; the fertile land of Mazhang brims with vitality. As the only pilot zone for agricultural foreign cooperation and exchange in western Guangdong, Mazhang is guided by the grand blueprint of “One Zone, Five Centers, Ten Hubs”. Situated in the dual radiation belt of the Beibu Gulf Economic Circle and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, it stands at the forefront of agricultural opening-up, forging a new strategic high ground that connects domestic and global markets and empowers high-quality agricultural development in southern Guangdong.

The full activation of locational advantages is the core driver behind the rise of the Mazhang Pilot Zone. As a key node on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in the west, it links the Greater Bay Area to the north and neighbors the Hainan Free Trade Port to the south. Supported by major logistics platforms such as Zhanjiang International Aquatic City, it has formed an open pattern featuring “land-sea coordination and two-way connectivity between east and west”. Leveraging this unique geographical endowment, the pilot zone has actively integrated into national strategies, transforming locational advantages into development strengths. It aligns with the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port in agricultural and aquatic product supply, modern logistics and other fields, building an efficient and convenient network for agricultural products to “purchase globally and sell globally”.

Continuous breakthroughs in institutional innovation inject strong momentum into opening-up and cooperation. Guided by its Development Plan, the pilot zone has introduced a series of innovative systems and mechanisms to support modern agriculture. From the “Seven-Piece Service Package” for investment promotion to the in-depth integration of government, industry, academia and research, from building a strong district in intellectual property rights to improving quality and standard systems, it has comprehensively optimized the business environment to attract, retain and support foreign investment and enterprises.

Through precision-oriented models such as “top leader” investment promotion and industrial chain investment, remarkable results have been achieved. A total of 85 enterprises have settled in the Baiyun-Mazhang Co-constructed Industrial Park, with the total output value of industrial enterprises above designated size reaching 16.6 billion yuan. A number of high-quality projects in equipment manufacturing, biomedicine and other sectors have taken root, laying a solid foundation for the integrated development of agriculture with the secondary and tertiary industries.

The diversified development of open platforms has broadened the scope and depth of cooperation and exchanges. The pilot zone has actively combined “going global” and “bringing in”. In November 2024, it organized enterprises to participate in the China International Agricultural Trade Fair and held a special promotion event for lucky bamboo, facilitating cooperation agreements between local leading lucky bamboo enterprises and well-known firms including JD Logistics and Hengxing Group.

Meanwhile, cross-regional cooperation platforms have been established. Partnering with Baiyun District of Guangzhou, the pilot zone has created a “reverse enclave”, investing 20 million yuan in the Zhanjiang Mazhang · Greater Bay Area Enclave (Guangzhou Baiyun) project. It has set up investment promotion stations and product exhibition windows in the Greater Bay Area and organized enterprises to attend events such as the 32nd Guangzhou Exposition. Leveraging the large passenger flow in the Greater Bay Area, it has enhanced brand awareness, achieving nearly 200,000 yuan in sales in a single event and attracting more than 50 new intended customers at home and abroad.

In production and marketing connection, the pilot zone has facilitated cooperation between Zhanjiang Qianyu Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Minzhiyan Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. with the support of town-based rural revitalization support teams. Highly recognized for the quality of Mazhang mini wax gourds, the two sides have agreed on stable supply and are striving for an annual transaction volume of 1 million yuan, opening up broader market space for local distinctive agricultural products. Such cooperation models as “Greater Bay Area Market + Mazhang Products” and “Precise Docking + Stable Supply and Marketing” have not only achieved resource complementarity but also built a new ecosystem for cross-regional coordinated development.

Standing at a new starting point for development, the Mazhang Pilot Zone for Agricultural Foreign Cooperation and Exchange is adopting a more open attitude and more practical measures. It will deepen agricultural cooperation with countries and regions along the Belt and Road, promote the internationalization of characteristic industries, the modernization of agricultural technology and the diversification of cooperation and exchanges. It will strive to build a national model for agricultural opening-up, injecting sustained impetus from opening-up into rural revitalization and high-quality agricultural development in southern Guangdong.