Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City is focusing on developing a new platform to facilitate cooperation between companies and research and development institutions, said Ang Boon Peng, vice-president of strategic collaboration for the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City Investment and Development Co.

SSGKC, a 50-50 joint venture company between the Guangzhou Development District and Singapore's Singbridge, is an iconic project in Guangdong province involving China-Singapore cooperation. Started in 2010, the project aims to develop a 123-square-kilometer "city" that is home to high-end industries and global talent.

Located northeast of Guangzhou, the Southern Startup Area of SSGKC has begun its joint development, with infrastructure construction in the area close to completion, said Ang.

Ascendas OneHub GKC, an integrated business park jointly developed by Singapore's Ascendas Group and GKC Co, is under construction and its facilities will be operational by the end of the year. The business park will offer a one-stop "work, live and play" environment for enterprises.

The Singapore Center within OneHub is already operational and provides one-stop services and information solutions to Singapore-registered companies in the SSGKC.

"The mission of SSGKC is to take the lead in industrial upgrading and economic transformation in Guangdong province," said Ang.

He said manufacturing has long been the backbone industry of the province and that innovation and R&D resources are needed in the area.