Focusing on the East of Guangzhou
Being a pioneer in the construction process of new urban area
The basic development strategy of the metropolis areas are "exploration in the south, optimization in the north, extension in the east and co-ordination in the west". The layout structure is a network of multi-centers, consisting of the old urban cluster, south cluster, east cluster and north cluster. The east cluster is to become a hi-tech-oriented manufacturing base.
GDD is the main economic growth area in Guangzhou and the main force promoting industrialization and urbanization of Guangzhou's eastern area.
The Guangzhou Municipal Government proposed that from now on, the planning of the eastern part of Guangzhou will be conducted according to the city functions with GDD being the main body. Guangzhou's eastern region, including GETDD, Xintang and Yonghe will be built into an associated urban district, a comprehensive manufacturing base, a hi-tech development and production center, a service industry zone with well-developed transportation hubs and logistics infrastructure and an eco-friendly area for living, indicated in the report on Guangzhou Urban Development for 2010 Asian Games.

In 2002,the official business of GETDD,GHIDZ,GFTZ and GEPZ began joint operation.