Core Insights - The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the toy industry in Chenghai, Shantou, is driving a transformation from traditional manufacturing to innovative smart manufacturing, enhancing competitiveness and expanding market reach [4][5][6]. Industry Development - Chenghai has established itself as the "Toy Gift Capital of China," housing over 60,000 toy companies and approximately 300,000 employees, producing over 300,000 new products annually and accounting for 33% of global plastic toy production [4]. - The local government has partnered with leading tech firms like Baidu and SenseTime to create the first "AI + Toy" industrial base, injecting innovative solutions into the toy sector [4][6]. - The upcoming 24th Chenghai International Toy and Gift Expo is expected to further stimulate innovation within the toy industry [6]. Economic Growth - The "Three New, Two Special, One Big" industrial framework in Shantou is characterized by the convergence of traditional industries and emerging sectors, contributing significantly to the city's economic development [4][6]. - By mid-2025, the industrial added value of the "Three New, Two Special, One Big" sectors is projected to account for 66.3% of the total industrial added value in Shantou [6]. Cultural and Community Engagement - Shantou leverages its overseas Chinese community to enhance local development, with initiatives aimed at promoting cultural ties and economic collaboration [7][8]. - The city is actively engaging with overseas Chinese through various cultural and investment initiatives, fostering a two-way exchange that benefits both local and global communities [8]. Reform and Innovation - Shantou is in a strategic position to capitalize on national and provincial support policies, focusing on innovation in industry, technology, and openness to drive high-quality development [9][10]. - The city is enhancing its business environment through comprehensive reforms aimed at creating a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized ecosystem [10].
产业向新 侨联四海