“Before, Guizhou was only associated with ecology, summer resort, tourism, the Moutai liquor, and the Lao Gan Ma chili sauce. Now, a new phrase is added to the list—big data.”

Said Li Xinshe, deputy director of the National Center for Industrial Information Security Development and Research (CICS-CERT), at the Big Data and Real Economy Integration Conference (Guizhou) & Kick-off Meeting of Guizhou “Cloud-enabled Enterprises”.

Indeed, if Guizhou’s digital economy was nonexistent five years ago, the province is now a popular destination for investment.

Over 8,900 big data companies are producing more than RMB110 billion; tens of thousands of professionals join the ranks every year; world renowned businesses such as Oracle, Google, Intel, Microsoft, IBM, HP, Dell, Foxconn, Tencent, Apple, Alibaba, and Huawei have come one after another…This is Guizhou’s proud achievement in big data development since its inception in 2013.

From an experimental attempt to a formidable engine, big data is now driving Guizhou’s improvement of quality, efficiency, and models of growth.

Update and Innovation of Traditional Industries to Tap the Potential

For Guizhou’s traditional industries, big data presents more opportunities than challenges.

Guizhou Fa’er Coal invested ¥36 million to upgrade its equipment, making mining smarter; the dragon fruit farm in Luodian County, which manages quality and supply digitally with the Internet of Things, sees increased sales and prices; the cloud tourism platform allows easy access to the traffic in Guizhou’s scenic attractions…

Encouraging businesses to transform and restructure, Guizhou is sparing no effort in promoting the integration of big data with the tertiary sector.

Targeting the entire industrial chain and the links of R&D, production, and sales, Guizhou is using big data to innovate manufacturing technologies, business models, and product supply, for better quality and efficiency. Over the past three years, Guizhou has risen 6 ranks in the national index for digitization and industrialization. It is also 4.8 and 3.4 percentage points higher in the penetration rate of digital R&D tools in key industries and the digital control rate in key processes.

Emerging Sectors Gaining Momentum with Renovative Industrial Structure

“In big data, Guizhou is two years ahead of other regions,” said Ma Ningyu, Director of Guizhou Big Data Development Administration.

With its advantages in policy, climate, geography, and power, early in 2013, Guizhou jumpstarted its digital economy by opening the Zhongguancun Guiyang Technology Park, the Foxconn Fourth Generation Green Industrial Park, and the big data centers for the three major Chinese telecom providers. In 2014, Guizhou’s big-data-driven IT sector grew to RMB146 billion, up by 62% YoY.

“If you missed the opportunities in Guangdong and Zhejiang decades ago, don’t ever miss again what Guizhou has to offer.” Bringing together the best of the world, the emerging industries in Guizhou are now unstoppable.

The National Cultural Industry Big Data Center, Huawei’s Global Data Center, and Tencent’s World Data Center opened in succession; Guizhou-Cloud Big Data Industry Development Co., Ltd. became Apple’s Chinese iCloud operator; various national, industrial, and business data centers are taking root, including 28 data research centers and 36 tech incubators…

The list does not end there. Huochebang, a Guiyang-born “uber” for trucks, has been named a global tech unicorn for two years in a row, enjoying the biggest market share in China. BaishanCloud, which covers over 300 Chinese cities and serves 70% of Chinese netizens, is named a world-class service provider by Gartner; Esgyn’s database products are sold to top clients including JPMorgan, Amazon, and China Guodian Corporation…

From 2013 to 2016, Guizhou’s big data telecom business grew by 39.5%, its software and IT revenue rose by 25.7%, and the added value of big electronic manufacturers went up by 63%. In 2016, Guizhou ranked 10^th and 4^th in the production of laptops and tablets, and mobile phones respectively. In the first half of 2017, big data electronic manufacturing accounted for over 10% of industrial growth, becoming the third largest growth area only after liquor and power.

Promising Future Backed by Global Talent

“Previously, I only worked and lived in Beijing, Shanghai, and Australia. That’s why my friends were shocked by my move to Guiyang. But after seeing the city themselves, they were all surprised at its speed of development,” said Lu Xiaoling, General Manager of Guizhou Xiaoi Robot Technology Co., Ltd. A former Guiyang visitor, she is now a resident in this burgeoning city.

There are many people like Lu in Guizhou. In the past, Guizhou’s backward economy scared people away. Even the locals tried to flee the province. Today, however, the high-tech zone in Guiyang might make you feel as if you were in metropolises such as Beijing or Shanghai—you will walk on beautiful pavements, flanked by glass skyscrapers and surrounded by fashionable white-collar urbanites.

In 2018, Guiyang was the No.1 youthful city in China. This is inseparable from its big data development.

Guiyang’s Big Data Expo in May every year is now a high-tech exposition of global importance—Guiyang has become China’s “data valley”. Internet giants such as Apple, Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei not only moved their data centers to Guiyang, but also built offices and R&D facilities, attracting many young people to the city. In 2017, Guiyang’s net immigration rate stood at No.7 in China, even higher than Beijing and Shanghai—this was unimaginable several years ago.

The key to gathering and motivating talent for innovation and entrepreneurship is to allow them easy access, retain them with a stage to showcase their skills, and put them to good use. In response to the demands of key sectors, Guizhou is improving its high-end talent green card system, which offers preferential policies and services for card holders in housing, household registration, etc., to attract and retain talent. With its innovative and fail-friendly culture, Guizhou is now the go-to place for those who dream big.