Guangdong

Guangdong is a province on China’s southern coast, bordering the South China Sea. Its major cities include Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Pearl River Delta: A densely populated estuary region in southern China formed by the Pearl River and its tributaries. This delta concentrates Guangdong’s largest cities and much of its industry.
China’s economic reform: The market-oriented changes begun in China in 1978 that reshaped its economy and opened it to international trade. Guangdong became a leading testing ground for these reforms.
Nanyue: An ancient kingdom in southern China founded in 204 BCE by the Qin general Zhao Tuo. Its territory included much of present-day Guangdong before Han imperial rule.
Hong Kong: A special administrative region of China on the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong. Its separate legal and economic systems contrast with those of neighboring Guangdong.
Guangzhou: The capital of Guangdong and a major port city in southern China. Guangzhou has been the province’s political and commercial center for centuries.
Special Economic Zones: Designated areas offering distinct economic policies to attract investment, trade, and industrial development. Shenzhen and other Guangdong zones pioneered this model in China.
Guangzhou trade system: The Qing-era system that restricted most European maritime trade with China to Guangzhou from 1757 to 1842. It made Guangdong the principal gateway for China’s trade with Europe for decades.
Macau: A special administrative region of China on the western side of the Pearl River Delta. Macau’s distinct Portuguese-influenced history contrasts with Guangdong’s provincial institutions.
Shenzhen: A major city in Guangdong bordering Hong Kong, designated a special economic zone in 1980. Shenzhen’s rapid growth exemplifies Guangdong’s transformation since economic reforms began.
Shenzhen Special Economic Zone: A zone established in 1980 around Shenzhen to test market-oriented policies and attract foreign investment. Its creation helped turn a small border town into a global manufacturing and technology center.

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