The Pearl River Delta in south China has become Hong Kong's largest jewelry processing base in the mainland as many Hong Kong jewelry makers have moved to the area in an effort to find low cost and skillful craftsmen.

In the Panyu District of Guangzhou City, more than 200 Hong Kong jewelry companies have set up processing factories, employing more than 50,000 workers. The district could process more than 100 tons of gold and platinum every year, with a total production value of 5 billion yuan (US$604 million) and an export volume of US$800 million.

Ninety-five percent of the jewelry on Hong Kong's market is processed in Panyu. Jewelry produced here are also exported to European and Oceania countries.

In addition to Panyu, the Chonghua District of Guangzhou and Shenzhen have also witnessed the building of many jewelry processing factories.

Hong Kong jewelry makers said the establishment of the production base has made it more convenient for Hong Kong jewelry to enter the mainland market. 

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2005)