Following the easing of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in China this year, the city of Dongguan which has been called “the world’s factory” has experienced a sharp decline in business orders as it came in last in economic growth within the province of Guangdong. Following China’s reform and opening up, the city developed rapidly and its GDP had even exceeded a trillion RMB. So, what is behind its current downturn, and where does its future lie?