Chinese guitar capital’s stairway to export heaven

The Chinese town of Zheng’an, nestled in the southwest province of Guizhou, has become the world's leading producer of guitars. This major industry is evident in the town's architecture, with guitar sculptures and murals adorning public spaces and even waste bins shaped like guitars. Until recently, Zheng’an had no guitar-making industry, but that changed around a decade ago when the town became a magnet for skilled migrant workers seeking to start businesses in their hometown.

The town's government launched an initiative called "return the phoenix to the nest," encouraging these skilled workers to return and develop the local industry. One such worker, Zheng Chuanjiu, started his own guitar-making business in Guangzhou before relocating to Zheng’an's new economic zone in 2012. The town quickly became a hub for guitar production, with 87 homegrown brands emerging within just a decade.

Local authorities provided extensive financial, tax, and employment support to businesses, including tax exemptions and free rent. The town's natural advantages also played a significant role - its climate is ideal for guitar-making. Master luthier Zhang Weiyi, who moved his business from Guangzhou to Zheng’an in 2019, highlighted the perfect conditions for guitar-making.

Today, Zheng’an manufactures 2.5 million guitars annually and exports 248 million yuan ($36 million) worth of guitars to over 40 countries, making it a prominent export hub. The town's guitar industry has not only boosted the local economy but also improved the quality of life for residents, with music now a common sight on the streets.