Dongguan has officially secured its place among China's top 10 industrial cities, ranking seventh in the latest 2024 China Industrial Cities Top 10 List. The city's industrial revenue soared to 2.77 trillion yuan, with an impressive 12.3% growth rate, making it a standout performer in the rankings.  

Surpassing Ningbo, Wuxi, and Tianjin, Dongguan's rise is a testament to its robust manufacturing ecosystem. As one of China's pioneering cities for digital transformation in SMEs, Dongguan has consistently strengthened its industrial base. In 2024, the city launched a new wave of large-scale technological upgrades, propelling 22,000 manufacturing enterprises to scale up and innovate.

Its investment in industrial transformation led to a 9.1% growth in tech-driven manufacturing, pushing its total industrial output of above-scale industrial enterprises past 2.5 trillion yuan. Over 1,500 new enterprises joined the ranks of large-scale manufacturers, the highest number in Guangdong province.

Dongguan's commitment to cutting-edge industries is evident, with 10,200 high-tech enterprises, 236 specialized "Little Giant" firms, and 10 newly recognized national manufacturing champions, all leading among China's prefecture-level cities.

In 2025, Dongguan plans to boost industrial added value by 7%, with smaller enterprises targeted for an 8.5% growth. The city also plans to help 800 small businesses scale up to strengthen its industrial ecosystem.  

Beyond its established industries, Dongguan is also investing in the future. In 2025, the city introduced a landmark policy on AI-driven industrial growth, accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence and manufacturing. By 2027, Dongguan plans to develop over 100 AI-powered advanced manufacturing applications, leveraging cutting-edge AI innovation centers, AI model center, and AI industry bases to shape the next era of smart manufacturing.