Economic powerhouse Guangdong marks increase in foreign capital use

South China's economic powerhouse of Guangdong Province said Monday that its use of foreign capital rose 4.9 percent to reach 145 billion yuan (about $21.5 billion) in 2018.

The data were disclosed by Governor Ma Xingrui while delivering the government work report to the province's legislature, which opened its annual session Monday.

The use of foreign investment in the province's manufacturing sector increased by 57.9 percent last year, according to Ma.

Guangdong, whose GDP accounts for about one tenth of China's total, last year expanded its market access to foreign investment to allow wholly foreign-owned enterprises in fields including drones and new energy vehicle manufacturing.