Published on: 2026-09-15
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
According to AFP agency on August 31, in one of the mountainous counties in the north of Guizhou province, every seventh guitar sold in the world is made. Moreover, just over ten years ago, there was practically no guitar industry here.
In China, there are many specialized industrial cities and towns producing a wide range of goods – from bicycles to socks. The development of Zheng’an County in the city of Zunyi (Guizhou Province) serves as a clear example of the effectiveness of China’s industrial strategy. Local and central authorities jointly invest funds, relying on the favorable natural conditions of the region to stimulate manufacturing development.
Previously, the majority of the working-age residents of Zheng’an County left to work in Guangdong and other coastal industrial centers. Zheng Chuanzhou was one of them: he even founded his own guitar manufacturing company in Guangzhou, where most of the employees were his fellow townspeople from Zheng’an.
In 2012, Zheng’an County launched the “Phoenix Returns to the Nest” program, encouraging skilled workers who had gone elsewhere to earn money to return home and start their own businesses. Zheng Chuanjiu’s company became the first enterprise to settle in Zheng’an’s Guitar Culture Industrial Park. According to him, after his business got on its feet, many friends followed his example and also engaged in this production. On the wall of his factory hangs a slogan: “Why go far away for work when it’s so good at home?”.
Today, there are 87 domestic guitar brands in Zheng’an County. The local government has developed a comprehensive package of support measures—in the areas of finance, taxation, and employment—to attract enterprises.
But most importantly, Zheng’an itself possesses unique natural conditions. The renowned guitar master Zhang Weiyi, a gold medalist in the classical category at the guitar-making competition in China, moved his workshop from Guangzhou to Zheng’an because the local climate is ideal for guitar production.
According to statistics, more than 2.5 million guitars are produced annually in Zheng’an. Currently, the county serves as a base for guitar exports: in 2025, the export volume of guitar products reached 248 million yuan, with products being supplied to more than 40 countries and regions worldwide.
Local residents receive not only economic benefits. Zhang Weiyi notes that the atmosphere here is special: music often plays in the central square of the county town. Adults and children with guitar cases can be seen everywhere on the streets and alleyways – they are most likely hurrying to guitar lessons. The slogans “Capital of guitars, city of music” are found throughout the county town, and this title is rightfully justified here.
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