An ambitious urbanisation project aims to turn the Pearl River Delta, the factory of the world, into a super-size metropolis similar to Tokyo's sprawl.
In just a few years' time, it will no longer be just a concept, as the Guangdong government is planning the project at a cost of nearly 2 trillion yuan (HK$2.36 trillion) to merge nine cities and the rural area inbetween.
The Pearl River Delta Reform and Development planning framework is a priority of the province's 12th five-year plan.
The merged megalopolis will encompass about 40,000 sq km with a population of 42 million.
About 150 major infrastructural projects will integrate transport, energy, water works, information and telecommunications in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan , Dongguan , Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Jiangmen, Huizhou and Zhaoqing .
Together, they now comprise about 10 per cent of the national gross domestic product.