In addition, the city has also strengthened personnel and academic exchanges by establishing long-term co-operative relationships with renowned Chinese and overseas universities, including Tsinghua University and Peking University, as well as research institutes and technology organizations.

A number of Chinese universities, including Guangdong University of Medicine and Sun Yat-sen University, will also soon set up training bases in Dongguan.

Finally, Dongguan's authorities are devoted to offering excellent and efficient services.

As a city that has a long history in terms of the introduction of foreign investment, Dongguan municipal government has developed a highly efficient and sound government service system for foreign-funded corporations, helping them better make profits in the Chinese market.

A large number of foreign-invested companies have also shown interest in expanding their businesses after making huge profits in the city, sources with the local foreign trade and promotion bureau said.

To realize faster economic and trade development in the years to come, Dongguan is also striving to establish the Songshan Lake Science and Technology Industrial Zone.

The zone, which occupies an area of 72 square kilometres, is expected to become one of the industrial zones with the most potential in China after its completion, said local government sources.

Dongguan municipal government will earmark 1 billion yuan (US$125 million) annually for science and technology development in the next five years, in an effort to further strengthen its leading role in terms of the IT manufacturing sector.

Sources with the local government said that it would also give strong financial support to the educational and infrastructural sectors in the years to come.

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