GUANGDONG, “THE WORLD’S WORKSHOP” & the Guangzhou City

By: Linda Pedraza

SOUTHERN CHINA, MANUFACTURING OF PRODUCTS, ETCGuangdong Province – specifically Guangzhou city

By: Linda Pedraza

GUANGDONG PROVINCE: BACKGROUND Dubbed “the world’s workshop”

Fastest growing & most affluent of China’s 23 provinces

Global merchants go to Guangdong to purchase manufactured goods Toys, clothing, footwear and electronics and much more

Foreign investors have set up thousands of factories in Guangdong 90% originating from Hong Kong

WHY GUANGDONG PROVINCE? In 2 decades Guangdong has flourished into a fast paced province Instant cities, skyscrapers, new airports, subways and expressways

Guangdong’s location is the reason it has flourished so well Close to Western outpost like Hong Kong & Macao

Considered the gateway to China

First place that China’s Communist government experimented with Special Economic Zones Offers low taxes & private ownership

A LITTLE ABOUT GUANGZHOU Guangzhou is the capital city of Guangdong

Also formerly known as Canton Located on the Pearl River Delta

Population: 10 million people Absorbed an influx of people from the countryside

Guangzhou offers a number of malls & retail stores. Like the TeeMall Plaza & the China Plaza

Guangzhou has a worldwide reputation for good food. More restaurants & teahouse than any other city in China

It is also home to many western fast food restaurants, like a two story floor McDonalds.

Locals are often seen talking on cell phones. Movie theaters show subtitled versions of English films,

like “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” and also Chinese revolutionary epics.

Almost all signage is written in English and Chinese.

Signs of the Western influence on Guangzhou city.

GUANGZHOU CITY, GROWING FASTER THAN EXPECTED

It has been an important trading port since 300 B.C. & is one of the largest & most diversified manufacturing cities in China.

It is a key manufacturing base for China with major export markets being Hong Kong, U.S., Europe & Japan.

Guangzhou has experienced a large economic growth, which has led to an increase in disposable income

"Guangzhou" World Encyclopedia. Philip's, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. University of North Texas Libraries. 21 July 2011 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t142.e4932>

GUANGZHOU CITY, GROWING FASTER THAN EXPECTED CONT…

Focus is shifting from apparel to value added and IT industries, more importance is also being placed on service sectors Logistics, banking, finance and tourism

Major export products now also include high-end manufacturing, hi- tech products, bi-technology, aerospace technology, software, automobiles, ect. Everything from lace collars, pillows, to forklifts are produced in Guangzhou.

Fingar, C. (2005). China: guangzhou - pearl of the orient. Foreign Direct Investment, 1.

CANTON EXPORT COMMODITIES TRADE FAIR Guangzhou is host to the Canton Export Commodities Trade Fair, one of the largest trade shows in the world.

A biannual event that has been held twice a year in April & October, since 1957.

10,000 Chinese exhibitors & nearly 200,000 buyers from 105 countries attend the event.

Nearly a quarter of a million people attend the event on the busiest days.

Powell, S. . (2007). Guangzhou, a microcosm of global trade. Barron's, 87(11), 57.

GUANGZHOU LANDMARKS The Pearl River, which flows through Guangzhou visitors are able to take a boat tour on the river at dusk to view the breathtaking view of the city at night.

Shamian Island (“Sandy Surface”) located on the Pearl River, has some of the best preserved western European styled mansions in China

Spence, R. . (2006, October). Guangdong: gateway to china. Profit, 25(4), 116-117.

David, A. (n.d). HOMELANDS: Guangzhou, China / Cradle of Chinese American culture / Historical impact meets modern verve in Guangzhou. San Francisco Chronicle (CA).

GUANGZHOU LANDMARKS Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

Opened in 1931 to honor the founder of modern China (Sun Yat-sen)

15ft high statue of Sun atop a pedestal greets visitors at the entrance of the octagon shaped structure, inside are displayed letters and pictures of Sun Yat-sen

The building has a up turned pagoda style roof (typical Chinese architectural style) and includes a 4,700 seat theater for music & dance performances.

White Cloud Mountain is one of the most famous spots of natural beauty, & is known as the First Spectacular Scene of Guangzhou.

David, A. (n.d). HOMELANDS: Guangzhou, China / Cradle of Chinese American culture / Historical impact meets modern verve in Guangzhou. San Francisco Chronicle (CA).

GUANGZHOU ILLEGAL TRADE

http://www.5min.com/Video/The-Illegal-Trade-of-Guangzhou-Guangdong-Province-China-516998645

REFERENCES "Guangzhou" World Encyclopedia. Philip's, 2008. Oxford

Reference Online. Oxford University Press. University of North Texas Libraries. 21 July 2011 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t142.e4932>

Fingar, C. (2005). China: guangzhou - pearl of the orient. Foreign Direct Investment, 1.

Powell, S. . (2007). Guangzhou, a microcosm of global trade. Barron's, 87(11), 57.

Spence, R. . (2006, October). Guangdong: gateway to china. Profit, 25(4), 116-117.

David, A. (n.d). HOMELANDS: Guangzhou, China / Cradle of Chinese American culture / Historical impact

meets modern verve in Guangzhou. San Francisco Chronicle (CA).