Since 2021, Guangzhou has been actively building itself as an international consumption hub. The city's annual growth rate of total retail sales of consumer goods has averaged 6.0%, and the added value of the trade industry (wholesale, retail, accommodation,and catering) accounts for 15.7% of its GDP, the highest proportion among major Chinese cities. Guangzhou is the only city among China's five international consumption hubs that has seen its ranking in Kearney's Global Cities Index rise for three consecutive years, reaching 55th globally in 2023.

In terms of international recognition, Guangzhou's global influence has significantly increased. In 2023, the number of inbound tourists, including residents from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, reached 3.77 million, the highest among the five international consumption hubs. The city also saw an increase of three Fortune 500 company headquarters, and the number of international organizations in Guangzhou grew from 66 to 99. The city has topped the Competitiveness Index of Convention and Exhibition Industry and has been named "Most Competitive Exhibition Cities in China" for eight consecutive years. Guangzhou remains the only city among the five international consumption hubs (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing) to have risen in Kearney's Global Cities Index for three consecutive years, ranking 55th globally in 2023.

In terms of consumption, Guangzhou's service industry continues to thrive, reflecting the city's vibrant consumption environment. In 2023, the added value of Guangzhou's service industry reached 2.226 trillion yuan, ranking third nationwide. The wholesale and retail industry alone contributed over 420 billion yuan, the second highest in the country. Over the past three years, the added value of the wholesale, retail, accommodation, and catering industries has grown at an average annual rate of 8.4%. In 2023, the per capita consumption expenditure of Guangzhou residents was 49,480 yuan, second only to Shanghai among the five international consumption centers.

In terms of business, the city's commercial vibrancy and internationalization of consumption have also improved significantly. The number of tax refund stores for overseas tourists increased from 76 in 2021 to 93 in 2023. As of April 2024, 231 new companies in Guangzhou have joined the ranks, bringing the total to 326 enterprises participating in Guangdong Province's tax refund program for overseas tourists.

In terms of convenient access, Guangzhou has achieved a one-hour reach to cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, two-hour interconnectivity with other cities in Guangdong Province, three-hour access to the Pan-Pearl River Delta region, four-hour flights to major countries of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and five-hour connections to the Yangtze River Delta and Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. In June 2024, Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Terminal Complex, one of the largest cruise terminals in China, resumed operations and began implementing a 15-day visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups.

In terms of policy, Guangzhou has introduced numerous initiatives to promote consumption upgrades. Since 2021, various city and district departments have issued 170 policy measures supporting the development of time-honored brands, optimizing the living environment for expatriates, enhancing overseas promotion and exchange, and implementing unified permits for recreational, tourism, and sports activities.

Source:Lingnan on the Cloud

广州打造国际消费中心城市，“科尔尼”全球排名连续三年上升

2021年以来，广州积极建设国际消费中心，城市社会消费品零售总额年均增长6.0%，商贸业（批零业和住餐业）增加值占GDP15.7%，在中国主要城市中占比最高。在“科尔尼”全球城市综合排名中，广州是中国5个国际消费中心城市中唯一实现三年连续上升的城市，2023年排名全球第55位。

在国际知名度方面，广州全球影响力显著提升。2023年，入境旅游人数（含港澳台居民）达377.41万人次，规模在5个国际消费中心城市中排名第一。世界500强总部增加3个，广州国际组织数从66个增加至99个。会展业竞争力指数跃居第一、连续8年获“中国最具竞争力会展城市”殊荣。在“科尔尼”全球城市综合排名中，广州是5个国际消费中心城市（北京、上海、广州、天津和重庆)中（下同）唯一实现三年连续上升的城市，2023年排名全球第55位。

在消费繁荣度方面，广州服务业发展活力持续释放。2023年，广州服务业增加值22262.24亿元，规模全国第三；批发零售业增加值超4200亿元，总量全国第二；近三年批发零售和住宿餐饮业增加值年均增长8.4%。2023年广州市居民人均消费支出为49480元，在5个国际消费中心城市中仅次于上海排名第二。

商业活跃度方面，城市消费国际化水平提升。离境退税商店数量从2021年的76个，增长到2023年的93个。2024年4月，广州市新增231户、累计326家企业成为广东省实施境外旅客购物退税商店。

在到达便利度方面，广州已实现1小时直达大湾区城市、2小时互通省内城市、3小时互达泛珠三角城市、4小时飞达RCEP主要国家、5小时联通长三角和成渝双城经济圈。今年6月，全国规模最大的邮轮母港综合体之一——南沙国际邮轮母港复航，并正式实施外国旅游团入境免签15天政策。

政策引领度方面，促进消费升级的体制机制不断完善。广州市、区各部门出台支持老字号发展、优化外籍人员在华生活环境、加强境外推广交流、“文旅体一证通”等一系列政策举措达170项。

文｜记者 孙绮曼 通讯员 穗商务宣
译｜赵凡