The Jing-Jin-Ji region, also known as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, is the national capital region of China. In 2020, the Jing-Jin-Ji region accounted for approximately 8% of China’s total GDP. The region is also a significant growth cluster for the electronics, tech, logistics, real estate, and healthcare sectors. The central government aims to spur the development and integration of the region by leveraging each area’s unique strengths: (a) Beijing’s modern services industry, (b) Tianjin’s logistics, connectivity and advanced manufacturing industries and (c) Hebei’s natural resources and heavy industries.
Beijing, the national capital, is the key political, cultural and financial centre of China. It presents opportunities in consumerism, technology and e-commerce sectors.
Beijing consistently ranks among the top 5 global startup ecosystems on the Startup Genome rankings. Its innovation ecosystem is anchored by its education resources. There are close to 2,700 institutes of higher learning in China, including world-class colleges in Beijing such as Peking University and Tsinghua University, that attracts and trains an average of 200,000 college graduates yearly, many of whom enter the startup scene. Beijing is also home to a significant proportion of China’s unicorns, including JD.com, Xiaomi and Bytedance.
The Zhongguancun (ZGC) Science Park, managed by the Beijing Municipal Science & Tech Commission and Zhongguan Administrative Commission, is one of the key innovation hubs in Beijing.
Singapore companies present in Beijing include: ACKTEC Technologies, Bee Cheng Hiang, CapitaLand, DBS, Jumbo, Keppel Land, Mapletree Logistics, Perennial, Pico, Putien, Q&M Dental Group, Raffles Medical Group, and UOB.
Bordering Beijing and Tianjin municipalities is Hebei province, a region fast gaining attention from investors. While it has traditionally played a supporting role to Beijing and Tianjin due to its emphasis on natural resources and heavy industries, the Beijing government had directed advanced industries such as pharmaceuticals, public services, renewable energy and electronics to the province. The establishment of Xiong’an New Area - a state-level economic zone – has also boosted the province’s profile. Cities in Hebei such as Shijiazhuang, Langfang and Baoding are set to benefit from the development of the Xiong’an New Area, with growing opportunities for investors in sectors ranging from real estate to finance.
Singapore companies present in Hebei include: Crestar, Engro, KSH, Q&M Dental Group, Sembcorp Industries, and Sembcorp Utilities.
Tianjin is home to the second Singapore-China Government-to-Government platform project – the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City. Its pillar industries include advanced manufacturing, electronics, petrochemicals and services. Tianjin’s automotive, aerospace and aviation industries are well established. It is also a base for China’s space exploration programme. While Tianjin’s port is already one of the largest in the world, it is seeking to expand and build a smart and sustainable port. Tianjin will also continue to benefit from infrastructure spending as part of the Jing-Jin-Ji regional integration plan, which aims to cultivate Tianjin as a logistics centre of north China. Next-generation information technology (IT), biopharmaceuticals, and new-energy vehicles are some of the emerging industries being developed as new growth drivers for Tianjin.
Singapore companies present in Tianjin include: Ascott, CapitaLand, Mapletree, Perennial, PSA, SATS, Tiong Seng, Yanlord, and YCH.
Liaoning is commonly viewed as the gateway to Northeast China, a region with a population of around 110 million. The port of Dalian is one of the top 10 ports in China by container turnover, while the airports in Shenyang and Dalian are among the busiest international airports in the region.
Liaoning is shifting away from its traditional focus on heavy manufacturing industries to advanced manufacturing and modern services sectors. Compared to first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the costs of doing business in key Liaoning cities like Dalian and Shenyang are relatively low. This makes Liaoning an ideal location for SMEs looking to venture to China.
Singapore companies in Liaoning include: Armstrong, Brothers Holdings, CapitaLand, CEH Group, ComfortDelGro, Crestar Education Group, EtonHouse, Mapletree Logistics, PSA, Q&M Dental Group, SembCorp, UOB, and Wearnes Precision.
Shandong, with a provincial population of over 100 million, is one of the largest consumer markets in China. In particular, the provincial capital Jinan and the provincial economic centre in Qingdao are large cities with resident populations of more than 10 million residents each.
The key demand drivers are rapid urbanisation and industrialisation. Sectors such as urban solutions, infrastructure and tertiary services hold opportunities for Singapore companies. Apart from Qingdao, there are also growth opportunities in Jinan and Yantai. Key exports from Shandong include mechanical and electrical products, agricultural products, high tech products, textiles, garments and tyres. Key imports include mechanical and electrical products, agricultural products, iron ore and concentrates, high tech products and petroleum products.
Singapore companies in Shandong include: 3E Memtech, CapitaLand, DBS, Engro Corporation, EtonHouse, Freshening, Ley Choon, Pacific International Lines, Prima Limited, and Viking Airtech.