TWISTY ICON Formally named Guangzhou TV Astronomical and Sightseeing Tower, Canton Tower is seen with the Liede Bridge on the foreground, during a night cruise along the Pearl River. —Ronnel Domingo
Carrying mostly Tsinoy tourists and some Philippine-based journalists, the chartered bus has traversed about 17 kilometers of the newly opened sea bridge across the foggy Pearl River estuary. And then the mist parted to reveal the diamond-shaped island in the middle of the water ahead.
Named as West Artificial Island, it is shaped like the body of a kite, with the bridge representing its lengthy tail. The island serves as the mouth of a 6.8-kilometer undersea tunnel, the other end of which emerges onto Shenzhen.
Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement
This is the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, tagged at more than $6 billion and opened to traffic last June 30.
This tollway connects two eponymous cities of China’s Guangdong province, and complements the similar bridge-tunnel complex that opened in 2018—the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge—which is more than twice as long and two and a half times as costly.
These two high-profile projects are but hints of the economic might of an area that represents one-ninth of China’s $17.8-trillion national economy in 2023 and dubbed as the workshop or factory of the world.
Article continues after this advertisement
Advertisement
Indeed, just about two hours of flight time across and away from the rising tensions in the South China Sea, particularly the portion that is called West Philippine Sea, there is a parallel and less abrasive buzz.
Article continues after this advertisement
It is the rumbling of the economic juggernaut that is the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), which is considered a counterpart or rival not only to America’s Silicon Valley on the other side of the Pacific but also to the nearer Tokyo-Yokohama Metropolitan Area.
Article continues after this advertisement
Accounting for about 11 percent of the world’s second-largest economy after the United States means the economic output of the GBA is comparable to that of Australia or South Korea—each valued at about $1.7 trillion, according to the World Bank.
Advertisement
In a commentary, DBS Bank notes that the GBA rang up $2 trillion in 2023. It is “one of the top bay areas in the world,” having surpassed the Tokyo Bay Area ($1.8 trillion) and much more so the San Francisco Bay Area ($1.3 trillion).
Article continues after this advertisement
Just as the technology and innovation enclave of Silicon Valley in Northern California made waves in the past several decades, the GBA has been and is continuing to shape the world as we know it today.
DBS cites six factors that underpin the GBA—its strategic infrastructure, high-tech manufacturing, being a trade and e-commerce center, a financial center, robust private consumption and resilient property market.
‘9 plus 2’
The tourist bus made the crossing in late August, carrying a test group that sampled a Guangdong route, which ran through five of the nine cities of Guangdong that comprise the GBA along with the two special autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macao.
Advertisement
The swing-around covered Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhongshan and Zhuhai.
The sortie was organized by Shenzhen Airlines and Caloocan City-based New Goldmines Tours and Travels, which also offers other destinations across China.
When asked why a Filipino tourist would choose New Goldmines’ Shenzhen package—over, say, Shanghai or Beijing or other more known destinations—proprietor Ruben Co says it is not about choosing one over another.
“If you want to immerse yourself in 3,000 years of Chinese history, go to Xian (City in Shanxi province). If you want history from the past 500 years, go to Beijing; 200 years, go to Shanghai; for the past century, go to Guangdong,” says Co.
Indeed, how can any noodle dish-loving Filipino not want to see the storied city at the apex of the Pearl River Delta—Guangzhou, also known as Canton?
Advertisement
The skyline of this capital city of Guangdong is undeniably modern, overlaying its past as a peripheral region far removed from the economic and political centers of the imperial dynasties.
The most popular sight on the horizon is the Canton Tower, which stands at a bank of the Pearl River itself. Nicknamed “Small Waist” due to its twisting shape, the 604-meter-tall broadcasting structure is second only to Japan’s Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest tower.
But there are other notable buildings; Guangzhou is home to four of the world’s 100 tallest skyscrapers, according to the United States-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
These include the Guangzhou CTF Financial Centre (eighth-tallest, at 530 meters, with 111 floors), Guangzhou International Finance Centre (27th, 439 m, 101 floors), CITIC Plaza (44th, 390 m, 80 floors) and The Pinnacle (83rd, 350 m, 60 floors).
Shenzhen beats this with a dozen of such buildings—the most in any one city—including the Ping An Finance Centre, fifth tallest in the world at 599 m and with 115 floors. Little wonder, considering that the city is home to one of China’s three stock exchanges, adding to those in Beijing and Shanghai.
Advertisement
Shenzhen’s shortest entry in the list is the One Shenzhen Bay Tower 7, 94th at 341 meters and with 71 floors.
Land of the crane
Still, there are more that are being built, showing that the GBA’s brisk growth is still underway. Looking around as the bus breezes along the intercity tollways, one cannot miss the continuing proliferation of construction cranes. Thus, the now old yet persisting pun that the “crane” is China’s national animal (apologies to the giant panda).
Indeed, there is a forest of high-rise residential buildings across the GBA, the population of which is approaching 90 million or about four-fifths of the Philippines’.
Robin Tan, one of the Tsinoys in the group, could not reconcile what is now a metropolis compared to the Shenzhen that he saw in the 1980s.
Tan had the opportunity to cross over the border from adjacent Hong Kong—then still under the British—when Shenzhen was newly designated as one of China’s first special economic zones.
Advertisement
He was visiting with a former classmate, a resident of Hong Kong who went to high school in the Philippines.
It was a time of openness and reforms when, with Deng Xiaoping at the helm, China was “hiding capabilities and biding time.”
“All I saw was a fishing village, surrounded by farmlands,” Tan says. “Back then, Shenzhen locals highly prized items that were available only in Hong Kong, like some home appliances.”
Now, Shenzhen and the GBA churn out everything and anything that one might need or simply want. In fact, Guangzhou hosts the twice-yearly Canton Fair, aka the China Import and Export Fair.
China’s tourism industry has latched on to a line of a poem that Mao Zedong wrote in the 1930s, during a period of retreat amid escalating civil war, which avers that one who failed to reach the Great Wall is “not a true man” or “not a true hero.”
Advertisement
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Throughout the past century, travelers have embraced America and marveled at the wonders of Japan, despite tribulations inflicted by these nations. Hence, it seems a no-brainer that we should also know more about the latest big player in the neighborhood.
The Clemson Tigers suffered their first loss of the 2024-25 season the last time Brad Brownell’s team went out of state.
Despite a career-high 30 points from Chase Hunter, the Tigers fell 84-71 at Boise State in their first road trip of the season on Nov. 17. Clemson rebounded with a 79-51 win over Radford on Thursday behind Chauncey Wiggins’ game-high 16 points.
Next up for Clemson (4-1) is a quality mid-major opponent in the Sunshine Slam in Daytona Beach. The Tigers face the San Francisco Dons of the West Coast Conference. The Dons went 23-11 last season and were 11-5 in conference play, receiving an NIT bid and falling to the No. 2 seed Cincinnati Bearcats in a first-round game.
San Francisco (4-1) lost its first game of the season against Penny Hardway’s Memphis Tigers Thursday. According to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, Clemson has a 63.4 percent chance of winning.
Advertisement
The winner of Monday’s game will face the winner of Penn State vs. Fordham in the winner’s bracket Tuesday. The loser of Monday’s games will play in a “consolation game” Tuesday.
Here’s how to watch today’s Clemson game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information.
What channel is Clemson vs San Francisco on today? Time, TV schedule
TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
Start time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Clemson vs. San Francisco will broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network from Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.
Advertisement
Where to watch Clemson vs San Francisco on livestream
Streaming options for the game include FUBO and Paramount+.
For FUBO:
Watch Clemson vs San Francisco live on Fubo (free trial)
For Paramount+:
Watch Clemson vs San Francisco live on Paramount+
Advertisement
Clemson vs San Francisco odds and spread
ODDS: Clemson -2
O/U: 144 1/5
All College Basketball Odds via BetMGM.
Clemson schedule 2024
Nov. 4: vs Charleston Southern (W, 91-64)
Nov. 8: vs St. Francis, PA (W, 88-62)
Nov. 12: vs Eastern Kentucky (W, 75-62)
Nov. 17: at Boise State (L, 84-71)
Nov. 21: Radford (W, 79-51)
Nov. 25: vs San Francisco (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
Nov. 26 vs Penn State/Fordham (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
Nov. 29 vs Florida A&M
Record: 4-1
San Francisco schedule 2024
Nov. 5: vs Cal Poly (W, 86-78)
Nov. 9 vs Boise State (W, 84-73)
Nov. 13 vs Long Beach State (W, 84-54)
Nov. 16 vs Chicago State (W, 82-37)
Nov. 21 at Memphis (L, 68-64)
Nov. 25: vs Clemson (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
Record: 4-1
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
The writing seemed to be on the wall heading into the weekend for the San Francisco 49ers when Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa, and Charvarius Ward were ruled out due to injury. Then, Trent Williams was deemed inactive after a pregame warmup.
Well, Sunday went exactly how many expected and even worse to a degree, as the 49ers suffered their ugliest loss of the season in a 38-10 defeat to the Green Bay Packers, dropping to 5-6 on the season.
Offensively, the 49ers couldn’t establish any form of a run game, while their passing game struggled to generate many explosives and finish drives.
Defensively, San Francisco was out-physicaled and looked gassed from the jump, struggling to contain the run without Bosa, leading to the blowout defeat.
Advertisement
Here are three quick takeaways from the 49ers 38-10 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
Establishing the run game
Coming into the game, with a key injury at quarterback and at left tackle, it was clear the 49ers weren’t going to muster enough offense without a consistent run game.
San Francisco had struggled to establish the run with Christian McCaffrey over the last two games, as the star rushed for just 3.7 yards per carry since returning from injury.
That didn’t improve on Sunday, as McCaffrey had just 31 yards on 11 carries, failing to muster any type of success on the day. In our three keys to win, I highlighted the need to give Jordan Mason more carries during a game where the 49ers absolutely needed an identity on the ground.
Mason got a 16-yard carry on his first touch on the first drive of the second half, but didn’t see much volume outside of that, with San Francisco relying more on their passing game after falling into a deficit early.
Advertisement
The 49ers just looked flat, so an extra boost of physicality from Mason could’ve helped. Instead, they rode McCaffrey hard again, who struggled on the ground, while fumbling the ball on his longest catch of the day.
Defensively, San Francisco allowed Green Bay to run the ball 42 times, gaining 169 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Starter Josh Jacobs led the way with 106 yards and all three scores, powering through inside the red zone for a number of touchdowns.
The passing game was inconsistent for Green Bay, as Jordan Love completed just 13/23 passes for 163 yards. But, a strong rushing attack led the way en route to 38 points.
Big swing
One of the 49ers’ biggest chances in this game came to open up the second half. San Francisco had an abominable start, going three-and-out on consecutive possessions, while giving up scores on all three of Green Bay’s opening drives.
Down 17-7, the 49ers had a big chance to cut the game to a one-score lead, but opportunities were missed, as has been the case for much of the year.
Advertisement
Facing a 1st & 10 at the Green Bay 47-yard line, Brandon Allen had a deep ball to Jauan Jennings behind him, missing the open wideout who could’ve corraled the pass but wasn’t able to. Then, on 4th & 2, Allen had happy feet and was late dishing out an out-route, killing the drive.
After having a chance to pull within one score, the 49ers missed out, giving Green Bay a chance to improve their lead. But, the defense forced a quick three-and-out, giving San Francisco a chance to get within one score once again.
Well, as they did on the opening drive, San Francisco moved the ball, getting from their 10-yard line to the Green Bay 45-yard line. But, disaster struck again, as Brandon Allen had a pass intercepted off a dart to Deebo Samuel, which went through his hands and into those of Xavier McKinney.
Green Bay wouldn’t let that opportunity pass, as they swiftly put together a three-play, 26-yard touchdown drive to go up 24-7, never looking back from there.
In a game where so much was already going against them, the 49ers had a big chance to begin the second half. But, as they’ve done for much of the season, San Francisco was unable to capitalize.
Advertisement
Outlook of the stars
Coming into the season, it seemed like the 49ers were going to rely on their stars more than expected with the roster getting older and younger talent slowly getting integrated into the roster.
Well, 11 games through, San Francisco is 5-6 and their stars are a big reason for that.
Offensively, it starts at the top with Brock Purdy. The quarterback has been a positive for the season as he has utilized his legs more often, while overcoming other deficiencies. But, the question is: has he looked like a $60 million dollar quarterback?
Running back Christian McCaffrey missed the entire first half of the year as he rehabbed Achilles tendonitis, leaving San Francisco in a hole with arguably their best skill position player shelved. Brandon Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL early in the season, forcing rookies into action sooner rather than later at the receiver position. Then, Trent Williams started dealing with ankle issues, limiting his play and forcing him to miss a game.
Defensively, Nick Bosa has recently dealt with an oblique and hip issue, missing this past week. Javon Hargrave was ruled out early in the season with a triceps injury. Charvarius Ward has missed time. Fred Warner has not looked the same as his Defensive Player of the Year-level start. Talanoa Hufanga has also been out of the lineup for much of the year.
Advertisement
That has led to a talent depreciation on both sides of the ball, with certain players feeling like they’ve regressed, while the passion and fight in this team feel different than years past.
With the top players looking as they have over the first 11 games of the year, it’s questionable to see how this team can truly turn things around.
The San Francisco Giants need more pitching and seem to want to trade one of their sluggers — and they may be able to accomplish two tasks with one move.
With Buster Posey seemingly wanting to move on from LaMonte Wade Jr. while he still holds a bit of trade value, he will need to consider what they to get back in return.
One team that could be desperate to bring Wade in is the Houston Astros, long plagued by poor play at the plate from their first basemen. While most of their pitchers were injured last season, they do have a slight surplus of starting caliber players on their roster. They might just be the perfect trade partner.
A potential deal between the two squads could see the Giants ship Wade off to the Astros in exchange for right-handed starter J.P. France and pitching prospect Jackson Nezuh.
Advertisement
France is an interesting case, and would certainly be a risk, but does have the potential to be an impactful arm in the backend for the rotation.
He is a long way from someone that could replace Blake Snell, but could be an interesting innings eating starter or long-reliever depending on how he comes back from injury.
That is something that San Francisco wished they had last year during their flurry of pitching injuries.
The Houston righty struggled last year, but it was just a small sample size of five starts. The Giants would need him to find a way back to his surprisingly solid rookie campaign.
In 2023, he made 24 appearances (23 starts) and finished with a 3.83 ERA across 136.1 innings pitched.
Advertisement
France has a great breaking balls that helped him soar in the minor leagues. HIs changeup is especially effective.
Given that he is coming off of a shoulder injury, though, the Astros could need to add a mid-tier prospect as a bit of insurance.
Nezuh was a 14th-round selection in the 2023 MLB draft out of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.
He has always been more of potential guy than actual results, but he had a great first year in the Houston farm system. He had a 3.89 ERA with 11.3 K/9 across Single and High-A.
Wade was red-hot to start last season, but fell off hard. As he enters the final year of his career, Posey could be looking to maximize his trade value and help the roster out in a bigger spot of need.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
