Guizhou, one of the poorest provinces in China, is quickly becoming a rising star in the technology and manufacturing industries which will soon transform the region into one of the country's high-tech hubs.

Recently, the Chinese government announced during the Big Data Expo 2016 event in Guizhou's capital city of Guiyang, its aim to build a Big Data industry by investing in one of the nation's poorest provinces. Premier Li Keqiang said China is expecting to use Big Data to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. He also urged both Chinese and foreign tech companies and executives "to work together to foster new development of the big data sector." 

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Taking advantage of Guizhou's natural cool weather, Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn had already established an air-conditioning-free data center inside a cave located on a moutainside in Guizhou. Back in 2014, Foxconn announced it will sign an agreement with the province to develop and research big data and nanotechnology.

In the smartphone manufacturing sector, the Taiwanese company has taken advantage of Guizhou's cheap labor costs as it also prepares itself to open a new manufacturing facility in the region. The facility is expected to serve Huawei, one of China's largest smartphone makers, in the manufacturing of new smartphones aimed at the local market. One of the reasons for selecting Guizhou, according to sources familiar with the matter, is that the province is the birth place of Huawei's Founder, Ren Zhengfei.

Qualcomm also announced earlier this year in Beijing a joint venture along with officials of the Guizhou province to develop new chips for server systems. According to the Wall Street Journal, Qualcomm is expected to own 45 percent of the venture, while the province's investment arm will hold 55 percent.

Meanwhile, in the realm of virtual reality (VR) entertainment, Shuimu Animation has unveiled plans to open a new VR theme park in Guiyang in which visitors can have the chance to experience the world of VR technology. The theme park is said to be part of a $1.52 billion project led by Oriental Times Media Corporation. The park will also feature "China's first VR roller coaster", said Shi Xiangdong, Chairman of Shuimu Animation.

Additionally, the largest radio telescope in the world is being built in Guizhou as part of China's ambitions to become one of the world's leaders in science and technology. The enormous structure, called FAST, is said to be situated in a natural crater where it measures 500m in diameter.

TagsGuizhou Province, china, Big Data, data centers, Virtual Reality VR Technology, China manufacturing