The Chinese government has released its plan for the future development of that country’s most prosperous region, the Pearl River Delta. Shenzhen, Guangzhou and the other cities of Guangdong have the greatest concentration of economic activity in China and Beijing has mapped out an ambitious plan to keep the economic export engine running smoothly. The ongoing global recession has underscored concern in China over how to maintain growth in the key export sectors of its economy. Faultering demand along with a strengthening currency has seen the region losing its competitiveness. The central government’s solution is to move the economy of the Pearl River Delta up the value chain and increase its relationship with Hong Kong. A report by the National Development and Reform Council identifies a strategy of developing ‘hi-tech’ industries, including sectors such as nuclear power, solar and wind energy, ship building and automotive export for example, as well as moving into petrochemicals production. Services will also play a more important role, with that sector targeted to account for 53 per cent of the region’s economy by 2020. In order to realise this ambition the government plans widespread new logistics infrastructure. This includes plans to build a number of hub-type modern logistics parks including those at Baiyun Airport, Bao’an Airport, Guangzhou Port and Shenzhen Port. It will also move to improve existing infrastructure.