Zheng’an’s Sonic Boom: A Model for China’s Industrial Strategy?

The town of Zheng’an in Guizhou province has become a global music phenomenon, producing one in every seven guitars sold worldwide. Just a decade ago, this southwestern Chinese corner had no guitar industry to speak of, but today it is an export hub shipping guitars to over 40 countries and enriching local culture with music and community growth.

Zheng’an’s rapid rise can be attributed to the combination of government support and skilled workers returning home. In 2012, the “return the phoenix to the nest” initiative encouraged migrant workers like Shenqu Guitar founder Zheng Chuanjiu to come back and start businesses. Today, 87 home-grown brands have emerged from the industrial cluster, with authorities offering comprehensive financial, tax, and employment support packages.

The area’s natural advantages – its climate is perfect for guitar-making – are a crucial factor in its success. However, careful planning and investment by local authorities also played a significant role in making Zheng’an an attractive destination for artisans like master luthier Zhang Weiyi, who relocated his business from Guangzhou in 2019.

Zhang’s company benefits from the town’s favorable conditions. “My clients are longstanding clients,” he said, as he carefully sanded down a piece of ox bone to fit into a custom guitar he was making by hand. “As artisans, we don’t really care much about things like government support or tax breaks.”

Zheng’an is a prime example of the impact of China’s industrial strategy on regional development. By pursuing specialized regional industries and leveraging unique advantages, local authorities can boost development in previously neglected areas and stem population loss to big cities. Economists argue that more counties should follow this model to pursue distinctive, differentiated development.

However, China’s state subsidies and other assistance have been criticized by the United States and Europe as unfair, particularly in industries such as electric vehicles and solar panels. To replicate Zheng’an’s success while navigating global trade and competition complexities, careful planning, investment, and a deep understanding of local strengths – and weaknesses – are essential.

The export hub’s growth is not limited to guitar sales alone. From January to July 2025, registered local enterprises received 147 million yuan in tax reductions and exemptions. This support has helped streamline export-rebate procedures and further boosted the town’s economy.

While music now fills the main square, there are concerns that this growth may be short-lived without continued government support. Will Zheng’an continue to thrive as a guitar-making hub, or will other regions challenge its dominance? As China’s industrial strategy continues to shape regional development, one thing is clear: Zheng’an has become an example of what can happen when local and central government investment meet favorable conditions.

The town’s growth also highlights the importance of preserving traditional industries while embracing innovation. Master luthier Zhang’s custom guitars are a testament to this balance. “I think there’s a really nice atmosphere around it,” he said, describing how music now often filled the main square. “All over the streets and alleys, you see quite a few people – both adults and kids – carrying guitar cases, probably on their way to guitar lessons.”

As Zheng’an’s story resonates globally, one thing is certain: this Chinese town has become an unlikely icon of innovation and resilience in the face of globalization. Its success is a reminder that even in the most unexpected places, growth and development can thrive when local conditions are leveraged with careful planning and investment.

Zheng’an’s sonic boom will continue to echo through the halls of global trade and regional development, challenging policymakers and entrepreneurs alike to rethink their strategies for growth.