Tricky switch to lighting a new world

Bright future ahead for Zhongshan, the brightest spot on nation's industrial map

The hand of fate is resting nervously on the dimmer switch of China's lighting industry, not sure which way it is going to turn. For some businesses, it will get brighter; for others, dark times may lie ahead.

As the shining center of the industry, Zhongshan in Guangdong province is where the changes will be reflected the most. In the city's Guzhen township, which has a population of 80,000, more than 4,000 companies are engaged in making and selling lighting products.