1 Prepared for Contemporary Cantonology Review (当代广州学评论) The Industrial Composition of Guangzhou Firms in a Global Context: Evidence from Public Firm Data Kirsten Martinus 1 , Thomas J Sigler 2 and Julia Loginova 2 Abstract: Research on the position of cities has revealed how networks play an influential role in urban development. The distribution of economic activity in cities has a strong impact on how cities are connected to one another in a global context, as well as what national role cities play in industrial networks. This paper investigates the role of Guangzhou in both a global and national context. Data are derived from a complete set of public firm headquarters and subsidiaries listed primarily on the Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges. First, the analysis reveals the concentration of firms in specific industrial sector and sub-sectors when compare to Guangdong and China as a whole. Second, connectivity is derived from the relations between Guangzhou-based firm headquarters, and between Guangzhou-based subsidiaries and external firms. The results ultimately place Guangzhou, and Guangdong, more broadly in a global industry context that distinguishes them from other Chinese cities and regions. Guangzhou’s strong manufacturing role in electronics, automobiles, and chemicals is supplemented by a focus on public administrative roles tied to its position as the capital of Guangzhou province. This contrasts to some degree with the technology-intensive focus of newer industrial development, which may indeed lead future growth. Keywords: Guangzhou; China; Global Cities; Urban Geography; Economic Geography; Industrial Geography Running Header: The Global Position of Guangzhou 1 Centre of Regional Development, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009 Australia 2 School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072 Australia