13. Foshan
A historic center of Chinese ceramics production, Foshan is one of several major manufacturing hubs in the Pearl River Delta, which forms the backbone of China's export economy. The city is a major car-manufacturing powerhouse, and German automaker Volkswagen has selected Foshan for its factories in southern China, where the company is trying to expand its market share. Foshan is also a labor innovator: Two years ago, workers at a Honda plant staged a protest for higher wages and, surprisingly, were able to win concessions from management, which many observers interpreted as a sign of growing power for Chinese workers.
Above, ominous storm clouds cover the city on April 17, 2011, in Foshan, Guangdong province, China.
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