With the backdrop of its stunning success at the recent 2004 Athens Olympic games and the confirmation that a major Chinese firm has bought a controlling stake in British car maker Rover, China is yet again in the spotlight.

With the Chinese economy forecast to overtake the UK economy at the end of 2005 and become the world's fifth largest economy, the march to superpower status is clearly visible. And nowhere is this more evident than in GuangDong Province in the south of China.

GuangDong is home to the so-called ‘Workshop of the World’, DongGuan City, which is made up of many towns, and has the world’s highest concentration of factories based there.

The Chinese industrial revolution is in full swing. Cantonese (GuangDong hua) is no longer the dominant language in the province. Mandarin (Pu tong hua) is now the standard dialect. And don’t let the word ‘town’ fool you. The population is huge, in the low millions!

Evidence of the rapid economic growth in China is everywhere and impossible to miss. The whole area is like one massive construction site and every street has at least one building covered in scaffolding. The scale of the work being undertaken is astounding.

New motorways, schools, shopping complexes, hotels and private housing are springing up by the day and the pace is relentless.

Piles of building materials line many streets giving the impression of untidiness but you get a sense that when all the work is complete, something special will have been created.

Once mere countryside, swathes of land are now being used for development.

The sound of constant, beeping vehicle horns is an irritating feature but acceptable while all the building work is being carried out.

In the evenings, the town really comes to life as most of the factory workers have finished their daily shift and are looking to unwind and have fun.

Being part of the ‘Workshop of the World’, roughly 80% of the population work in factories and many staff live in those factories.

Long working hours are commonplace and time off is limited.

The wild, wild West has given way to the wild, wild East. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and many trading opportunities are present for exporting goods to most countries.

Foreigners (wai guo ren) are a rare sight in the area so staring is commonplace, but it is done with warmth, a smile and an innocent curiosity.

Always ready to practice their English, shouts of “Hello” and “How are you?” punctuate the air as you walk the streets.

Eating in the local cafes and restaurants are a joy and the food is simply delicious.