A group photo of participants of 2025 Guangzhou Rail Transit Industry Promotion Conference taken on March 24, 2025.

On March 24, Guangzhou hosted a promotion conference for the city's rail transit industry. The event aimed to deepen collaboration with foreign countries and business representatives while advancing Guangzhou's modern industrial system. 

The event attracted 54 officials from 34 foreign consulates in Guangzhou, including France, Vietnam, Türkiye, the UAE and Uganda, along with representatives from five foreign chambers of commerce and three multinational enterprises. 

Officials from foreign consulates in Guangzhou visit Guangzhou Metro Operation Command Centre on March 24, 2025.

As part of the event, the attendees experienced Guangzhou's metro system firsthand, traveling on Line 18 and Line 8. Many expressed admiration for Guangzhou Metro's safety, efficiency, and quality service, citing its operations as a model for other urban transit networks worldwide. 

Officials from foreign consulates in Guangzhou visit Guangzhou Metro Operation Command Centre on March 24, 2025.

At the main promotional conference, Guangzhou Vice Mayor Lai Zhihong highlighted the city's commitment to rail transit innovation and global partnerships. 

Guangzhou Vice Mayor Lai Zhihong delivers a speech at the conference on March 24, 2025.

"The total revenue of Guangzhou's rail transit industry exceeded 270 billion yuan," said Lai. 

Officials from foreign consulates in Guangzhou experience Guangzhou Metro system on March 24, 2025.

Guangzhou Metro Group, the leading enterprise in the sector, now operates over 1,000 kilometers of track, serving an average of nearly 10 million passengers daily, with peak-day ridership reaching 12.2 million, making it one of the world's busiest metro networks.

Since 2017, Guangzhou's rail transit enterprises have expanded into multiple international markets, covering 16 countries and regions across Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, and Oceania. These ventures include consulting, construction, manufacturing, and operations, positioning Guangzhou Metro as a global solutions provider. 

Mr. Kanwar Anwaar Ali, CEO of the Punjab Mass Transit Authority in Pakistan, shared a video message detailing the successful partnership on the Lahore Orange Line project. 

The Lahore Orange Line project stands as a flagship example of international cooperation. As Pakistan's first metro system and the first large-scale rail transit project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the project created over 7,000 local jobs during construction and has generated nearly 2,000 employment opportunities since operations began in 2020. 

Ms. Dilan Can, Commercial Consul of the Turkish Consulate in Guangzhou, also spoke about fostering cooperation between Guangzhou Metro and Istanbul Metro. 

In recent years, Guangzhou has actively developed an advanced rail transit industry ecosystem, encompassing urban planning, construction, equipment manufacturing, operations, and value-added services.