In common with many Chinese cities, Chengdu (population 3 million) has expanded considerably since 1990. Most of the money to fuel this development has come from Hong Kong. The recent collapse in confidence in some of the financial markets of the Pacific Rim countries has led to what is hoped will be seen as only a temporary decline in financial flows. Evidence for the recent difficulties can be seen in the half completed tower blocks. Perhaps because of the speed of urban change, the old urban fabric often remains surrounded by blocks of the new. In the foreground, low-rise older properties are dwarfed by the high-rise blocks of commercial properties awaiting completion. Satellite dishes on the roofs, the ubiquitous McDonald's sign and the offices of Konica and Sanyo testify to the recent globalisation of the Chinese economy.
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