Part 1/12:
The Hidden Decay of China's Economy: A Look Into County Towns
In conversations about China's economic health, the narrative often oscillates between optimism and pessimism. On one side, Beijing touts a booming export sector, high-tech advancements, and a burgeoning electric vehicle industry. On the other, critics point to stagnating rural areas and rising inequality. But beneath the shiny veneer of skyscrapers and high-profile tech hubs lies a less glamorous, more troubling reality—one that’s unfolding quietly in small county towns across the country.