One Chinese special economic zone is certain about its growth prospects, even as the outside world struggles. The Zhuhai Special Economic Zone is one of seven locations in China that enjoy special economic policies and flexible government measures. The area was established in 1980, and its GDP has exploded exponentially, thanks to numerous tech companies. CGTN's Sun Ye reports.

Former Harvard researcher Tian Feng works to develop and produce so-called super-materials in the Zhuhai SEZ. They give these sheets special sheens, from technology on a nanometer scale. The kind of manufacturing affected by recent trade friction. Also the kind of manufacturing Tian says is the way to go.

TIAN FENG, FOUNDER & CEO PHOMERA METAMATERIALS "China-US Trade friction, this is all we in the industrial chain talk about these days. It has big impacts. But as a manufacturer in an industry that's just starting off, our solution is one and the same: hone your own skills."

In a place that caters to industries of the future. He said the company has chosen to settle in the SEZ partly because the local government agrees it's important to always look toward to the future, and proactively help foster it. Like giving innovative enterprises every kind of IPR protection they envision, from tutoring to procedural conveniences.

WANG LI HENGQIN INT'L IPR EXCHANGE CENTER "We work to help the companies protect their proprietary technology and give them a boost in competence. The SEZ is heavily invested in promoting new industries."

SUN YE ZHUHAI "Zhuhai is also home to one of the country's first and best-performing Hi-tech industrial development zones. Companies in the zone continued their double-digit growth and made 30 billion USD worth of wealth last year."

And not just that. The Zhuhai SEZ, along with a few others in coastal areas, were initially set up almost 40 years ago as pilot zones. They work in a more flexible, forward-looking and open manner than elsewhere in China. Its innovation back then included operating China's first ever hotel with foreign investment, finding out profit margins and setting up pioneering factories. Its motto back then was "act fast and efficiently, and always innovate". A slogan still popular today.

TIAN FENG, FOUNDER & CEO PHOMERA METAMATERIALS "Efficiency is what we value most, and we look back for lessons to look forward."

That's still the SEZ's message here in the new era. SY, CGTN, ZHUHAI.