Yunfu, in the west of Guangdong province, has become China's largest stone materials manufacturing base with output reaching 11.5 billion yuan ($1.88 billion) in 2012, officials said on Thursday.

The city's mayor, Zhou Zhiqiang, said local authorities have introduced a series of measures to upgrade the stone materials business to sustain development of the traditional industry.

These include expanding an international stone industrial park and financial support for local stone material manufacturers, Zhuo said.

The city has more than 4,000 stone material makers and about 1,000 companies involved in stone design, production and sales.

As part of efforts to develop the stone industry, the 10th China (Yunfu) International Stone Materials Science and Technology Fair and China (Yunfu) Stone Culture Festival will open on Friday.