Zhongshan took the lead, in already famously advanced Guangdong Province, in practicing a system of household-based, contracted responsibility that linked remuneration to output, launching a debate on truth in measurement of result. Through the hard work of its residents it also produced the first "10,000-yuan household" in China, the first Sino-foreign cooperative hotel, the first golf course, and the first shareholding cooperative system for land management.

There was political fence-leaping as well. Zhongshan was the first to elect a migrant worker as a member of the CPPCC local committee. The 23-year tradition of the Charity Parade has raised donations of nearly RMB 1 billion, a feather in the city's cap both at home and abroad.

Zhongshan is designated as a pilot city for comprehensive reform in unified urban/rural development, and also a pilot city in the province in building cities suitable for living. It has sought to invigorate the city through industry, which is working for them. Limited to holding only 1 percent of Guangdong's territory and 2.6 percent of the provincial population, this small city has for many years ranked fifth in economic strength in Guangdong Province. Nearly one third of its families are engaged in private businesses or are self-employed. The per capita GDP clocks in at US $9,000, and the urban-rural income ratio is 1.8:1. Its urbanization rate is 86.7 percent.

Zhongshan is also one of the prefectural cities in Guangdong Province with the highest density of specialized production – 26 national bases of specialized production in all. It fosters eight provincial demonstration zones for industrial clusters' upgrading, 13 specialized towns, including China Hardware Industrial Base, Chinese Capital of Lights and Lamps, Famous Town of Casual Garments, and Specialized Town of Rosewood Furniture. A number of industries and products are characteristic of the area; their lamps and rosewood furniture make up 60-70 percent of China's market share.

Since the global financial crisis, it too has jumped on the low-carbon economy and low pollution international bandwagon, but Zhongshan's wind power generation, LED lighting, and new energy auto engines have actually earned it respect in industrial circles. The industrial clusters of equipment manufacturing and pharmaceuticals in Huoju Development Zone, furniture and shower cabinets of Fusha Town, and games in Gangkou Town have become the new motivators of Zhongshan's economic drive.

Pursuit of "Three Suitables"

Zhongshan's spirit is expressed by "Charity, Innovation, Tolerance and Harmony." This spirit has attracted foreigners of different races to Zhongshan from all over the world. The majority gradually fell in love with the city, and settled down here. When you go for a stroll on Qiguan West Road in the evening, you will come across German-style Alexsbar. Peter, its owner, is from Germany, the home of beer. The bar's regulars are mostly foreigners, and the waitresses are pretty – a Western home away from home.

Zhongshan knows how to present itself to the world.

In February 2006, Wong Wing Piu, chairman of Hong Kong Century Dental Equipment Co., Ltd., visited Zhongshan to check out the investment environment. On his arrival, border security discovered that his visa had expired, but knowing he was a potential investor, the department promptly granted him a one-entry pass. After that, he not only invested in the construction of a production base of dental equipment in Zhongshan, but urged his American partner to invest in the city too.