The Pearl River Delta Region (PRD) ( ) in southern China occupies the low-lying areas alongside the Pearl River estuary where the Pearl River flows into the South China Sea. Since the "Open Door Policy" was adopted by the Communist Party of China in the late 1970s, the portion of the delta in Guangdong Province has become one of the leading economic regions and a major manufacturing center of mainland China. The PRC government hopes that the manufacturing in Guangdong, combined with the financial and service economy and traditional western influence in Hong Kong will create an economic gateway attracting foreign capital throughout mainland China.