Guangdong

Today I want to talk about China's most populous province. Along with being the most populous province in China, it is also one of the most prosperous. It is of particularly of interest to Chinese firms and multinational firms as Guangdong province has a very dense and expansive production base.

Besides being a factory hub, Guangdong is also unique in respect to the rest of China. Like their brethren in Hong Kong, their spoken language is Cantonese. Although most of the younger generation increasingly speaks Mandarin, those attempting to wield Mandarin may find things difficult. Perhaps if business is to be done, one should brush up on some polite Cantonese gestures.

Another item of interest is Guangzhou, the third largest city in China and a major center for businesses who utilize one of the many smaller factory cities nearby, the most prominent being Dongguan. Besides the international airport, Guangzhou also has access to the South China Sea via the Pearl River. I have spent several weeks in Guangzhou and came across Africans, Eastern Europeans, and many other nationalities from Europe to the Pacific Rim. Many are working in the clothing, textiles, and toy industries to name a few.

As a result, it is no wonder that Guangdong is often referred to as "the factory of the world." What is most interesting to me is Guangdong's future path. The Chinese government has shown interest in eliminating some of these antiquated factories in favor of hi-tech industries. A pretty bold agenda, but possible considering that Guangdong is an economic powerhouse. Led by development in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Guangdong province has a larger economy than Singapore or South Africa. The question is, with the implementation of hi-tech industries, what does this mean for the hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who now call Guangdong their home?