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Southern China is a region of highly developed industrial agglomerations that play a significant role in the country’s economy.  This area is a hub for innovative developments in major sectors of Chinese industry and hosts the largest number of foreign specialists. For international importers, Southeast China (specifically the Pearl River Delta) is of tremendous interest, as these territories are known as the “world’s factory,” producing everything from solar panels to simple slippers. Here, foreign importers find the perfect balance between quality and price.

One of the largest and economically vital provinces in the south is Guangdong, which ranks first in the People’s Republic of China in terms of population. Over 126 million people live on its 179,800 square kilometers.

Guangdong is home to the headquarters of many well-known Chinese companies, along with countless factories, varying widely in size and production scale — from what might be called “garage” workshops to industrial giants occupying vast areas.

Several factors explain Guangdong’s rapid economic development: firstly, this coastal province in the south hosts two major port cities—Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Secondly, it borders Hong Kong, an economy deeply tied to international trade and finance, providing Guangdong with ample opportunities. Thirdly, in recent decades, the manufacturing sector in this southern region has been actively developed with strategic government support.

Guangdong has many well-established industries, including automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, electronics, specialized equipment, construction materials, and textiles.

Shenzhen, for example, is known as China’s Silicon Valley, as it is home to leading electronics manufacturers. Here, headquarters for companies like Huawei, DJI, Foxconn, Tencent, Baidu, ZTE, BYD, and many others are located.

Satellite image. The Pearl River Delta in the 1970s and in 2003. Today, almost no natural landscapes remain in the region (apart from designated park areas) — everything is built up with factories.

Foshan, the third-largest industrial center in the province after Guangzhou and Shenzhen, is renowned for its furniture and ceramics production, although it also manufactures a wide variety of other products: household appliances, children’s toys, cars, packaging materials, and much more.

Dongguan, located in the heart of the province and a member of the «Trillion-Yuan Club» (a prestigious group of Chinese cities with a GDP exceeding one trillion yuan), is notable for having the highest number of factories.

Dongguan is a quintessential manufacturing city in China. On various occasions, we took business trips from Shenzhen, where our company headquarters is located, to Dongguan factories — a distance of only 85 kilometers, reachable by train or car. Now, reflecting on these trips, we decided to give you an inside look at what life is like in an average Chinese factory, using Dongguan as an example.

What can one see in Dongguan?

To begin with, Dongguan is an endless expanse of factory districts; on its 2,460 square kilometers, a vast number of production facilities are concentrated. Here, you’ll find enterprises producing smartphones, electronic parts and components, specialty fabrics with nano-coatings, robots, industrial equipment, home electronics, packaging equipment, new energy vehicles, clothing, shoes, plastics, and much more. In short, it’s an entire planet of factories.

A typical factory is a closed-off area that includes production and administrative buildings and, often, dormitories for factory workers

Factory Environment

A decent Chinese factory (and here we are talking about “mid-sized” factories, which are the majority) resembles a small “town” behind factory walls, where around 700 people live and work. These factories are equipped with clean production floors, uniforms for workers, and a large research and development department (R&D is an area that any self-respecting Chinese manufacturer prioritizes heavily).

The enclosed space of the factory is designed not only for work but also for employees’ accommodation. That’s right—most factory workers actually live on factory grounds in special dormitory buildings.

Why is this the case?

In economically advanced southern provinces, where both population density and income levels are high, the practice of “living close to the workplace” is quite common. People from nearby villages (where a typical southern Chinese village is comparable to a mid-sized Russian town in both population and area) come to industrial cities to “make good money” working at factories.

In return, factories provide them with reasonably adequate living conditions within the work environment: a bed, free meals in the factory cafeteria as stipulated by regulations, a salary, and the opportunity to earn more through overtime work (which is a significant source of income for Chinese factory workers).

This hiring model is prevalent in Guangdong, as well as in the Beijing and Shanghai metropolitan areas. With the high cost of local labor, employers prefer to hire workers from distant regions, providing for their basic needs on-site.

Factory Layout

How extensive can the factory grounds be? It depends on the industry and production scale. Some “giants” cover dozens of hectares, while smaller factories have more compact premises. However, the typical Chinese factory layout is divided into several zones:

— Production floors
— Administrative office buildings
— R&D department
— Worker dormitories
— Warehouse area

While alternative layouts exist, the zoning principles are similar. For example, the automated packaging equipment factory we visited in Dongguan a few months ago was a large seven-story building, with the R&D department on the top floor, administration on the sixth, and other floors allocated to production, employee living quarters, and storage.

The Most Secretive Department in a Chinese Factory

That would be the R&D department. In a growth-oriented factory, the R&D team is usually sizable: of the 700 employees in an organization, typically 200 work in the technology development department.

R&D areas are always off-limits to outsiders. This is where innovations take place, and entry is strictly prohibited—even for valued clients. Factories rigorously safeguard their know-how.

Working Conditions

On the one hand, Chinese employers generally follow labor laws. On the other, China is where the “996” term originated (working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week).

Yes, any employee is entitled to a five-day work week with a standard eight-hour shift. Factory management cannot exploit workers without limits. However, people often choose to work extra hours, as overtime pay is legally mandated and can be substantial. It’s common practice for workers to work six days a week on twelve-hour shifts, with bonuses for weekends, holidays, and all overtime, which forms a significant part of their income.

Management benefits from this arrangement and encourages overtime. Technically, one can decline extra hours, but the work environment (often the psychological atmosphere) makes overtime the norm.

Does this affect workers’ happiness? Likely, this type of labor does not lead to high satisfaction. But this is precisely the key to Chinese factories’ remarkable productivity. There is rarely productivity without a touch of hardship.

Chinese workers excel at consistently performing routine tasks day in and day out, almost like automatons.

And besides, they come to Dongguan for the “big money” and often take the opportunity to maximize their earnings.

The Factory as a Social Elevator

On average, a basic salary for a factory worker in southern China is modest—2,000–3,000 yuan per month (without overtime). But firstly, they don’t worry about housing (they live in the factory dormitory, albeit not ideally, sharing a room with six or seven others, but they have a bed). Secondly, food is taken care of (many factories provide free breakfasts, lunches, and dinners).

No, their working and living conditions aren’t super comfortable. Life on a factory is essentially an endless cycle, much like *Groundhog Day*. But here’s the crucial part: the very opportunity to work at a factory in an industrial metropolis serves as a form of social mobility for a young person from a remote province in China.

The income of an ordinary Chinese worker is not high, but the factory provides housing and meals, as well as the opportunity to earn a good salary through overtime work.

And a young person from rural China has this opportunity. The factory can serve as a kind of springboard into life. At first, they earn a wage as a regular worker, but in the future, they might start building a career within the factory. For particularly valuable employees who move up the career ladder and become, for example, engineers, the factory can offer significantly better conditions. Alternatively, this young person might set out for new horizons, as the southern industrial megapolis with its vast opportunities is right in front of them.

In short, just as in life in general (no matter the country or conditions), there’s no black or white on a Chinese factory floor. There are shades of gray, there is good, there is bad, and most importantly—there are opportunities. The key is to recognize them.

Opportunities are everywhere. Especially in China.

China is actively building up its green energy sector at an impressive pace. Let’s face the facts: the image of the modern world is now inseparable from renewable energy. As early as 2019, renewables accounted for more than 60% of all newly built generating capacities worldwide. Experts predict that by 2030, renewable energy could well take the leading position in global energy generation.

Map of Solar Power Plant Distribution

People’s Republic of China is leading the race in developing solar and wind energy infrastructure. Here, industrial-scale construction of solar power plants, with a total capacity of 180 gigawatts, and wind power plants, totaling 159 gigawatts, is underway (for perspective: similar projects currently under construction in the United States will generate only about 40 gigawatts).

China’s commitment to renewable energy is embedded at the government level. The Ministry of Natural Resources of China encourages local officials to support the development of renewable infrastructure on uncultivated land, including vast desert areas.

It’s therefore no surprise that the lion’s share of solar panels and wind energy equipment is manufactured in China — first, to meet the needs of its domestic market, and second, for export to other countries. 

Expansion of Exports

Since China began ramping up production capacities in renewable energy, it has pursued a policy of export expansion in this sector, capitalizing on its ability to offer relatively high-quality equipment at low costs.

Due to «aggressively low» prices, for example, former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 30% tariff on solar panel components imported from China back in 2018. This tariff was later significantly reduced because high import duties ultimately hurt American manufacturing: demand for solar panels in the U.S. has been steadily growing year by year, necessitating a steady supply, even if it means relying on Chinese components.

There’s a strong possibility that new tariffs could be imposed on green energy goods exported to the U.S. from China. Trump, who has a viable chance of winning the upcoming presidential election in November 2024, has floated the idea of a 60% tariff on all imports from China.

For its part, China, confident in its leadership in green technologies, has occasionally hinted at possible restrictions on exports of silicon wafers — essential for producing solar panels — to the U.S.

Solar panels in China cover vast areas

Competitiveness of Chinese Equipment

Chinese solar energy equipment offers several key advantages:

1. Low Prices (even amounting to clear price-dumping): With strong government support, the industry has seen an explosion of manufacturers, with new players constantly emerging.

2. High Production Capacity: China’s industrial base has advanced to the point where its factories can produce equipment of any specification and at any scale.

3. Global Dominance: As a result of the first two factors, over 80% of all solar energy components worldwide are now produced in China. The country dominates in the manufacturing of polysilicon, wafers, photovoltaic cells, and solar panels.

Chinese-made components for solar panels are used in numerous countries, and many Thai, Malaysian, and Vietnamese companies manufacture their products within China. China has essentially established a global monopoly in producing several solar components and semi-finished products.

China’s solar sector includes a remarkable variety of production facilities, from massive, world-renowned factories to smaller workshops where automated cutting of photovoltaic panels operates alongside manual assembly.

Many large Chinese companies oversee the entire production cycle — from crystal growth to the final assembly and packaging of solar panels. This setup allows for comprehensive in-house quality control.

Top manufacturers have fully automated production lines and their own innovative technologies, producing a wide range of products. They can manufacture small panels for charging mobile devices (2-3 watts) as well as large panels over two meters in size and with power ratings from 300 to 500 watts. The market includes both single-sided and double-sided photovoltaic modules, with the latter allowing for increased energy generation.

Some smaller, budget-friendly Chinese factories produce panels based on the technologies of leading Chinese plants.

Solar Panel Production Process

The primary raw material for most solar panels is high-purity quartz sand, rich in silicon dioxide. In the initial stage, this raw material undergoes special processing to produce purified silicon.

Silicon crystals are grown using the Czochralski process, developed by Polish scientist Jan Czochralski in the late 1950s. In this process, silicon is melted in a crucible. The molten material slowly rises along the rod, gradually crystallizing.

In the next step, the crystal is shaped and then sliced into wafers no more than 300 micrometers thick, using a specialized cutting technique.

Next comes doping the introduction of additives to achieve the desired electrical and physical properties. The most common dopants for silicon are boron and phosphorus.

During the assembly of photovoltaic modules, wafers are first connected into chains and then grouped into blocks. The number of cells determines the final panel’s power output. Modules are assembled by joining and soldering the elements and are coated with a protective film.

The final step involves placing the module in a frame of the appropriate size and attaching a junction box to the back of the panel.

Finally, each solar panel undergoes quality control testing and is packaged for distribution.

Leading Chinese Renewable Energy Manufacturers

The world’s largest producers of polycrystalline silicon—the primary material for solar modules—are based in mainland China and Hong Kong. Some of the most notable companies include (although this is by no means a comprehensive list):

— Daqo New Energy: A prominent Chinese photovoltaic company, and one of the world’s leading producers of ultra-pure polysilicon for solar energy, as well as silicon ingots and wafers. Its headquarters are in Chongqing and Shanghai.

— Xinte Energy: This photovoltaic company pioneered polysilicon production in Xinjiang and is now one of the largest producers of ultra-pure polysilicon for solar power. It manufactures inverters, photovoltaic wafers, and modules. The company is also involved in power generation, and the construction and maintenance of solar and wind power stations.

— Asia Silicon: Based in Qinghai Province, Asia Silicon is a top global polysilicon manufacturer. It develops and uses advanced equipment for producing semiconductor-grade polysilicon and crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules, along with large-scale ground-mounted and distributed photovoltaic power stations.

— Inner Mongolia Dongli Photovoltaic Electronics: A leading Chinese producer specializing in crystalline silicon solar cells and modules.

— GCL Technology: Headquartered in Hong Kong, GCL is a global leader in polysilicon and semiconductor wafer manufacturing for solar energy. The company also controls various production plants for polysilicon, semiconductor wafers, and operates thermal, waste-to-energy, solar, and wind power plants across China.

— Xinjiang East Hope New Energy: A subsidiary of East Hope Group, based in the Wucaiwan Industrial Park in the Changji State of Xinjiang. It is one of China’s largest producers of polycrystalline silicon.

Today, the People’s Republic of China is literally the world’s factory for solar panels and related equipment. With the rapid growth of green technologies being heavily subsidized by the government, Chinese manufacturers are well-positioned to offer their products to international customers at competitive prices.

The packaging equipment market in China is enormous. Driven not only by the vast domestic demand (China today is a colossal conveyor belt producing everything under the sun, and all of this «everything» needs to be packaged), but also by the overall trend in China’s economy over the past decades—manufacturers are focused on expanding into foreign markets. They are actively seeking new market opportunities and increasing their export potential.

According to expert estimates, with an average annual growth rate of 5.22%, the packaging market in the country will reach a value of USD 262.61 billion by the end of the current decade.

There are objective factors contributing to the increased demand for packaging products in China. The main one is social: China is rapidly urbanizing, and the quality of life is improving. Today, about 64% of China’s population lives in urban areas, and the level of urbanization continues to rise year after year.

What does this lead to? Naturally, to growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly, convenient, and attractively designed packaging. Manufacturers are responding to this need by expanding their packaging production lines. The variety of packaging formats, intended for various types of goods, is growing. The type, size, material, and design of the packaging are limited only by the customers’ imagination and the capabilities of the manufacturers. And the latter have immense capabilities, thanks to modern, technologically advanced production.

Today, Chinese factories producing both packaging and packaging equipment lines stand out primarily for the enormous variety of products they offer. You can find anything in China, for any purpose, and within any price range. There are millions of factories here, and it’s hard to imagine a situation where you wouldn’t find what you’re looking for. Simply find «your» manufacturer, visit and negotiate terms of cooperation.

All types of packaging

The equipment available on the market can be segmented by the material of the packaging produced: paper, glass, metal, plastic, etc; and by type of product line: industrial goods, food products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, personal hygiene products, and so on.

The type of packaging container depends on the specific purpose for which the product is being packaged.

Consumer goods packaging stands out for its vast aesthetic and technological variety. For such packaging, both long-lasting preservation properties and design are equally important. This includes all sorts of jars, bottles, and flasks for cosmetics and perfumes, boxes, cases, airtight packaging with modified gas environments to preserve the freshness of food products, and so on.

For industrial packaging (containers, crates, boxes, etc.), the external aesthetic appearance is of far less importance, as the primary goal is to protect the goods from damage during warehouse storage.

Design is also not particularly important for transport packaging. The key requirements here are strength, cushioning properties, and water resistance. Wooden crates, cardboard boxes, including polymer films and pallets—this type of packaging must reliably protect goods in transit from moisture, impacts, and other potential mishaps.

There is an enormous number of factories producing packaging lines in China. Naturally, these factories vary greatly in scale: there are giants implementing their own innovations and continuously improving their products to meet eco-friendly standards. In addition, there are countless smaller manufacturers (by Chinese standards) whose cooperation may be more cost-effective for small and medium-sized businesses.

In any case, you can find packaging equipment of any scale in China: from standardized off-the-shelf solutions to limitless possibilities for custom-designed packaging production lines tailored to unique technical requirements. You can order automated machines of various purposes and formats, either for large or small-scale production (even «garage-level» operations, so to speak). Chinese packaging equipment has always been highly popular, for example, among marketplace sellers who need affordable and quality packaging for their products.

As we’ve mentioned in our materials many times, Chinese manufacturers are incredibly flexible: they can handle virtually any order, producing goods of any quality level and price range.

Where to begin?

Start by searching for a suitable manufacturing company. You can do this on your own via large trading platforms like Alibaba, Taobao, and similar ones. Alternatively, you can work with a specialized agency in China that helps match clients with factories tailored to their needs.

The next step, after initial agreements and preliminary arrangements, is a mandatory visit to China to the headquarters and production facilities of the chosen manufacturer. It’s essential to verify the production capabilities, assess the working conditions, ensure compliance with sanitary standards, and evaluate the internal quality control procedures in place at the factory. In short, make sure you’re dealing with a reliable Chinese partner. You can also delegate the factory visit to your agent, provided you trust the intermediary company.

Next come business negotiations to discuss terms, during which both sides present themselves. This is when you determine the batch size of the required equipment, its specifications, delivery times, cost, and payment terms.

The final, yet most critical, step is quality control of the finished products. This should not be overlooked. The customer (or their trusted representative) must visit the factory and assess the quality of the equipment produced and ready for shipment to avoid any unacceptable defects.

Features of Chinese Factories

Large Chinese manufacturers collaborate with numerous clients from around the world. As a result, they are accustomed to handling orders for the production of various types of both packaging itself and the production lines for its manufacturing. Custom production according to specific specifications is standard practice.

You can order either the packaging itself (naturally, when placing a large order, the customer receives a substantial discount) or the equipment directly for producing the specific type of packaging.

Serious factories are equipped with the most modern equipment, and their technological processes are always evolving — fresh solutions are constantly being sought to meet market demands, and new attractive directions are being explored. It’s important to note that a vast number of factories in China are focused on expanding export production, and as such, they are open to collaboration and flexible pricing. Moreover, China has entered and will continue to experience an overproduction crisis. This means that many manufacturers are willing to sell their products with minimal margins — simply to secure new distribution channels.

The first thing that strikes you about serious Chinese factories producing packaging and packaging equipment is the strict adherence to sanitary standards (check out our videos): the production floors are almost sterile, workers wear uniforms, and there is strict production discipline.

At any reputable Chinese factory, the first thing they will show you is the showroom. The exhibition hall will display samples of products that can be made using their equipment. Here, they will surely say something like this, demonstrating an understanding of your needs: “What defines the image of your company? It starts with packaging. Look at our showroom, and you will see that we will take good care of your image.”

And it’s true. The variety is staggering. Packaging for liquids? Here you go: everything is available — for food liquids, shampoos, and packeted sauces for instant noodles. There’s also packaging for granular bulk products, adhesive stickers, small resealable bags, boxes for high-end costume jewelry, packaging for protective smartphone screens… In short, a complete range of sizes, shapes, colors, materials, and designs — for consumer goods found in modern supermarkets and specialized retail or online stores. For industrial goods packaging, it’s the same story.

All you need to do is go, look, choose, and negotiate.

The Canton Fair is a no less than one and a half million square meters of exhibition space, thousands of visitors, factories and plants showcasing their goods. Without a doubt, today it is one of the world’s largest showcases for products of various purposes. 

Traditionally, since the second half of the 20th century, the fair has been held in southern China, in the industrial metropolis of Guangzhou, twice a year, in spring and autumn. The giant Pazhou Exhibition Center, the largest in Asia, hosts the fair. 

The exhibition is considered a showcase of the foreign trade of the People’s Republic of China.

It all started with an exhibition of Chinese export goods, which was decided to be held in the spring of 1957. The Chinese government wanted to earn foreign currency this, which could be spent on purchasing vital goods for the young republic. At first, the exhibition was almost entirely raw materials. But over time, the share of industrial goods significantly increased, by the end of the 20th century it accounted for more than eighty percent of the total quantity of goods presented at the exhibition center.

Why is the Canton Fair held in Guangzhou? 

The reason is that at the time, in 1957, the city of Guangzhou was still known in Europe as Canton. Hence the name of the fair. 

It is worth noting that Guangzhou (also known as Canton) is not only one of the ancient cities of China, with a history of more than two thousand years, but also a place with centuries-old trading traditions.Trade has been developing here since ancient times. Since the time of the Han Empire, foreign ships came here for Chinese goods. It is commonly believed that the maritime Silk Road originated from here. 

Despite Guangzhou no longer being called Canton, the fair still retains the name Canton Fair.

Why visit the Canton Fair?

You can find suppliers no matter your industry. You can also have productive negotiations with potential Chinese partners. But the main reason to visit this fair is innovation.The Canton Fair is a global generator of trade trends. Want to know what will be trending soon? Visit the Pazhou Exhibition Center. It’s a key fair for both manufacturers and suppliers across virtually all industries. Remember when hoverboards and electric scooters hit our streets? Their first models were showcased here at the Canton Fair.

The space is so vast that it’s simply impossible to visit all sections of the exhibition in one go. That’s why it’s essential to plan your schedule in advance, focusing on the industries that interest you most. Remember, the primary reason to attend the Canton Fair is to understand what will be highly relevant in your industry.

Here, you can discover exciting new products directly from manufacturers across all sectors: mechanical engineering, electronics, transportation, toys, lighting, gardening tools, food production lines or packaging, sports and travel gear, gift and souvenir products, medical equipment, consumer goods ranging from clothing and footwear to home decor and plumbing, and much more. It’s easier to say what isn’t here than to list the vast array of goods that Chinese factories showcase each year at the Canton Fair. That said, we wouldn’t dare suggest there’s something you can’t find here — it seems like everything is available. No wonder it’s the largest trade fair in Asia and the third-largest in the world.

Is the Canton Fair exclusively for wholesale?

Yes, it is. The fair is designed for those who are focused on finding exciting new products and working with suppliers in the context of wholesale purchases. If your goal is not just to explore trends but to close deals with suppliers, you should be prepared for substantial volumes. For example, it wouldn’t make sense to attend the Canton Fair if you plan to purchase less than $50,000–$60,000 worth of goods, as larger volumes are the norm here.

It’s important to know the volumes you can commit to during negotiations with factory or supplier representatives since the price will heavily depend on the size of the order you’re ready to place.

2024 Canton Fair Dates

The upcoming autumn session of the fair is starting soon — on October 15, and it will run until November 4.

As usual, the event will be organized in three phases, with each phase showcasing specific types of products. Each phase will last five days, with a three-day break between phases.

• Phase 1: October 15 to October 19
• Phase 2: October 24 to October 27
• Phase 3: October 31 to November 4

Each phase covers specific industries and product categories. According to official information, the 2024 fair will feature:

Phase 1: Household appliances; consumer electronics; lighting equipment; new energy resources; innovations in the chemical industry; processing machinery and equipment; advancements in mechanical engineering and industrial automation; construction and agricultural machinery; vehicles and spare parts.

Phase 2: Construction and finishing materials, sanitary and bathroom equipment; furniture; kitchenware; artistic ceramics; home decor items; gifts and souvenirs; optical instruments; gardening products, and more.

Phase 3: Personal hygiene products; medical goods and devices, medicines, and other health-related products; pet products; toys; men’s and women’s clothing; footwear; maternity and baby products; sports and travel gear; fur and leather goods; clothing accessories; home textiles; carpets and tapestries; office supplies; bags and suitcases, and more.

What is needed to come to the Canton Fair?

1. A visa (even a tourist visa is suitable, it is cheaper and easiest to get)
2. A plane ticket. It is better to take care of its purchase in advance, since traditionally, on the days of the fair, the prices of air tickets to Guangzhou go up.
3. Registration. It is also better to register in advance on the official website of the exhibition, so as not to waste precious time during the event itself.
4. A great desire to communicate with suppliers and see the trends of the near future with your own eyes.

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