I did visit Guangzhou back in 1988 while in the Navy. It was a very different culture than I expected. I liked the people, but found technology was behind much of Europe and North America. Much has changed since then. From what I can tell, the level of technology is equal to, if not higher than other first world countries.
In some ways, China is leading the world in the fight against pollution. For example gas motors for bicycles have not been sold in China for several years, but they are exported to countries where they are still legal. I've been told that the last containers of these motors that Canada will allow to be imported arrived earlier this year. Like China, we will need to use electric motors on our bicycles.