A huge cutting wheel made from extremely hard materials produced in Zhecheng can be used for the production of various kinds of metals.

Local businesses hold 83 certificates of national-level independent intellectual rights and nine patents of invention, according to the county government.

Liang said that the industrial zone's products were no longer low-end ones like grinding materials and tools, but were high-end products used in aviation, automobiles and high-speed trains.

High-quality human resources and the government's talent recruitment programs have also contributed to the zone's success.

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Wang Laifu, general manager of Huifeng Diamond Technology Co, said several years ago his company was very small and completed processing work for customers. "We kept introducing talented people and new technologies. Today, we have six national patents and several leading technologies in the world," he said.

County publicity department head Li said that with a range of talent recruitment programs, the zone recruited eight specialists with PhD degrees, more than 80 professionals with master degrees and 220 excellent technicians.

Party chief Liang said to further develop the diamond powder industry in Zhecheng and promote it around the country, the government organized promotion events in Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces.

The government also offered companies connections and opportunities to attend expos abroad, Liang added.

The industrial cluster has become an economic engine in the county, said Liang.

It generated 20.1 billion yuan in revenue last year and paid taxes totaling 203 million yuan.

"The development of the industrial zone has also contributed to the local job market. People there can find a job easily without leaving their hometown. And the pay is good," said Liang.

He said pollution treatment would be important for the future of the industrial zone.

"I believe that a flourishing industrial zone must be a sustainable one. There should be no pollution. We have a regulation that says companies that might cause severe pollution are not allowed to settle down. If there is some pollution, it must be under the limit set by the national standard," Liang said.