China’s Industrial Giants in Desolation
Once thriving industrial giants, Suzhou and Dongguan now face economic desolation. Factory shutdowns, mass relocations, and dwindling job opportunities have plagued these cities, highlighting the severe impact of China’s faltering economic policies. The decline of these industrial hubs signals a broader economic crisis gripping the nation.
Commercial Street in Suzhou’s Industrial Park is now a ghost town, with “For Lease” signs and closed shops marking the start of a vicious cycle. In Dongguan’s Changan district, a major factory’s relocation left empty office spaces and a deserted area. Across China, large factories are shutting down one after another. Industrial hubs like Suzhou, Guangdong, and Shenzhen face severe challenges. These once-prosperous cities are now on the brink of collapse, signifying not just the decline of individual cities but the end of an era. China’s policies have driven these cities to the edge, highlighting the government’s failure to sustain economic growth.
Suzhou, once celebrated for its ancient history and manufacturing prowess, boasted five industrial chains worth over 100 billion yuan each and was the first prefecture-level city in China to achieve a GDP of over 2 trillion yuan. It was hailed as the strongest prefecture-level city in China, attracting waves of workers. However, in recent years, its fortunes have plummeted. Locals admit that the job market in Suzhou has been grim this year. Workers are struggling, employers are facing difficulties, and manufacturing factories are under immense pressure. One factory after another has shut down, and the current situation is a far cry from the bustling past. External competition and shifting domestic and global economic conditions have led to a sharp decline in orders. This downturn highlights the failure of Chinese policies to sustain economic growth and protect local industries.
China’s hefty fines, ambiguous regulations, and anti-espionage law revisions have severely impacted Western businesses. Many companies now deem China too risky for investment. A 2023 survey by the US-China Business Council revealed over one-third of American companies have reduced or paused their investment plans in China over the past year, citing geopolitical tensions and domestic policies. Foreign enterprises face government raids, and Western executives are prohibited from leaving the country. For instance, Shanghai-based Cap-vision, despite following rectifications ordered by Chinese authorities, still had consultants accused of international espionage.
Radio Free Asia cited commentators who believe that China’s current political trajectory makes the withdrawal of foreign capital inevitable. They argue that the collapse of China’s economy is unavoidable and that all foreign investments will eventually leave—it’s just a matter of time. These commentators foresee China reverting to a closed-off economy with planned economic policies, a trend they say is becoming increasingly evident. The situation underscores the growing concerns about China’s economic future.
The challenges extend far beyond Suzhou. In Guangdong, most small and medium-sized factories have halted hiring as China’s economic environment deteriorates. Dongguan, once known as the world’s factory, has witnessed a steady stream of foreign enterprises shutting down. A video reveals the desolate aftermath of Dongguan’s Jinda Toy Factory closure. The manufacturing sector in Dongguan is struggling immensely. Nissan Electric, a 30-year-old Japanese company in Dongguan’s Humen Town, announced its closure by year’s end, citing a sharp decline in orders and an inability to sustain operations. Many factory owners are relocating, and the number of workers is dwindling. What was once a bustling area is now eerily quiet, with ruins and abandoned buildings everywhere. This stark reality underscores the failure of Chinese policies to sustain economic growth.
In 2024, a staggering 460,000 private enterprises in China shuttered, matching the previous year’s total. This wave of closures underscores China’s mounting economic challenges. Foreign enterprises are now shifting their focus to Southeast Asian countries, viewing China as increasingly risky. Despite the Chinese government’s introduction of nearly 100 policies to support private enterprises, both foreign and domestic companies still encounter significant governmental resistance. The loss of Western technology, markets, and orders has further aggravated the situation, highlighting the failures of China’s economic policies.
The collapse of China’s key industrial cities and the exodus of foreign enterprises highlight the severe economic challenges and the failure of CCP policies under Xi Jinping. The government’s inability to foster a stable and attractive business environment has resulted in a decline in foreign investment and a faltering domestic economy. As these challenges persist, the future of China’s industrial cities and overall economic health remains uncertain. The current policies are insufficient to address these growing issues.
