The downtown area of Xiaoshan district, Hangzhou, the capital of East China's Zhejiang province [Photo/ zj.zjol.com.cn]

Xiaoshan district in Hangzhou, the capital of East China's Zhejiang province, is striding forward on its way to become the global hub of advanced manufacturing.

The district plans to spend five years doubling the industrial added value of its companies above a designated size and the number of large-scale companies.

From this year, Xiaoshan will invest over 100 million yuan ($14.12 billion) and provide 667 hectares of land within three years to boost its manufacturing industry.

The local government will invest 400 million yuan to spur the growth of new fiber materials and intelligent vehicle industries.

"The manufacturing industry will be regarded as Xiaoshan's pillar industry and economic foundation," a top officer at the Xiaoshan government said.

In recent years, the district has been making consistent efforts to develop its digital industry, in the hope of empowering and upgrading its traditional manufacturing industry.

Digitalization has brought about positive changes for manufacturing. Two years ago, Chen Demu, chairman of JIE Holding Group, an intelligent drive solution provider, began to turn to digital technologies to upgrade its production line.

The group's new intelligent factory will be put into use soon, and is expected to improve  production efficiency and decrease costs.

An official at the Xiaoshan economy and information bureau said that Xiaoshan has a solid industrial foundation.

He said that the district hopes to harness its strength in manufacturing and advantageous geographical position to attract more companies.

An aerial view of Xiaoshan district in Hangzhou, the capital of East China's Zhejiang province [Photo/ zj.zjol.com.cn]