Qinhuangdao becomes global hub for smart fire protection

SHIJIAZHUANG — Tucked along China's northern coast, the city of Qinhuangdao in Hebei province is best known for Shanhaiguan Pass, a historic section of the Great Wall that meets the Bohai Sea. However, beyond its ancient fortifications, this port city has emerged as an unexpected leader in buttressing a modern frontier: smart fire protection.

In a sprawling 3,200 square meter smart manufacturing workshop run by Gulf Security Technology, a brand under global fire and life safety solutions provider Kidde Global Solutions, a single production line hums with automated precision. Only four workers are needed to supervise the operation, where advanced machinery and intelligent detection software produce state-of-the-art smoke detectors at the rate of one every three seconds.

Founded in Qinhuangdao in 1993, GST has been a front-row witness to the city's rise as a fire safety powerhouse. Over the past three decades, the company has evolved from a traditional manufacturer into a tech-driven innovator.