Nestled in Fujian Province, Changle County has long been synonymous with musical craftsmanship, producing one-third of the world's electric guitars. Yet beyond its six-stringed symphony lies another glittering industry: China Gem City, a sprawling marketplace where precious stones fuel a $2.3 billion annual trade.
In a recent exploration with CGTN's Sergey Gordeev, viewers discovered how this eastern Chinese region harmonizes industrial might with artisanal tradition. While guitar factories hum with CNC machines carving mahogany bodies, gem traders scrutinize raw amethyst and topaz under specialized lighting – both sectors benefiting from Changle's strategic coastal location and manufacturing ecosystem.
For investors, the county exemplifies China's dual economic strengths: precision manufacturing and commodity trading. Local officials report 18% year-on-year growth in gemstone transactions, attracting overseas buyers from 67 countries. Meanwhile, guitar exports maintain steady demand despite global market fluctuations, with custom instrument orders rising among European musicians.
Cultural explorers find equal fascination in Changle's transformation from fishing villages to specialized production hub. 'The real treasure isn't in the ground,' Gordeev observed during his visit, 'but in the people who've turned raw materials into global commodities.'
