APAC Outlook - issue 49

Page 18

BUSINESS IN CHINA

BUSINESS IN CHINA

We examine China; a country that has been dominated by manufacturing for the past four decades, and explore the current state of play within the world’s most populous country

MANUFACTURING IN CHINA

Writer: Sean Galea-Pace

C

hina sits as the largest of all Asian countries and maintains the highest population of any country across the world. The country is among the biggest by landmass in the entire globe and is only surpassed in area by Russia and Canada, while it is almost as large as the entirety of Europe. China consists of 33 administrative units that are under the central government; these are made up of 22 provinces, five autonomous 18 | APAC Outlook issue 49

places on earth, with its landscape varying from almost unreachable terrains to coastal lowlands. Indeed, China has the greatest contrast in temperature between its northern and southern borders of any country globally.

regions, four municipalities and two special administrative regions. Beijing is renowned as the capital of the People’s Republic, and is also the cultural, economic and communications centre of the country. Meanwhile, Shanghai is the main industrial city and Hong Kong resides as the leading commercial centre and port. It is true that China is a unique country. Its topography means that it is both one of the highest and lowest

When it comes to business, there are few industries that are as synonymous with a country than manufacturing and China. For the past 40 years, China has been regarded as the world’s most important manufacturer and industrial producer, with these two sectors alone accounting for over 40 percent of China’s GDP. Back in 2001, China was labelled the world’s factory after its accessions to the World Trade Organisation. In the 20 years since, China has become a


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