A general view of the construction site of the futuristic iconic tower skyscraper in a business district that is being built by China State Construction Engineering Corp (CSCEC) in the New Administrative Capital (NAC) east of Cairo, Egypt July 5, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

A general view for the site of the futuristic, iconic tower skyscraper, in the business district, which is being built by China State Construction Engineering Corp (CSCEC) in the New Administrative Capital (NAC) east of Cairo, Egypt March 8, 2021. Picture taken March 8, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Construction machines are seen at the site of the futuristic, iconic tower skyscraper, in the business district, which is being built by China State Construction Engineering Corp (CSCEC) in the New Administrative Capital (NAC) east of Cairo, Egypt March 8, 2021. Picture taken March 8, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk leaves after a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk leaves after a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group, among others Parliamentary group leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party Ralph Brinkhaus and German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier in Berlin , Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk leaves after a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group, among others parliamentary group leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party Ralph Brinkhaus and German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk leaves after a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk (C) talks with CSU parliamentary group leader Alexander Dobrindt and the CDU parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus (2-L) on the sidelines of a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk (C) talks with Minister for Education and Research Anja Karliczek and the CDU parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus on the sidelines of a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk presents an RNA printer, essentially a vaccine production device, on the sidelines of a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk presents an RNA printer, essentially a vaccine production device, on the sidelines of a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk wears a mask as he arrives to attend a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk presents an RNA printer, essentially a vaccine production device, on the sidelines of a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk presents an RNA printer, essentially a vaccine production device, on the sidelines of a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk presents an RNA printer, essentially a vaccine production device, on the sidelines of a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk presents a RNA printer, essentially a vaccine production device, next to the CDU parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus (L) on the sidelines of a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk presents a RNA printer, essentially a vaccine production device, next to the CDU parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus (L) on the sidelines of a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk presents an RNA printer, essentially a vaccine production device, on the sidelines of a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk presents an RNA printer, essentially a vaccine production device, on the sidelines of a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk leaves after a meeting with the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group in Berlin, Germany September 2, 2020. Tobias Schwarz/Pool via REUTERS

Kiyo Oishi (L), CEO and president of Access, and Ted Schilowitz, futurist in residence at Viacom, discuss their partnerships with Byton, a Chinese all-electric car company, at a news conference during the 2020 CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. January 5, 2020. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

People cool off in the futuristically designed 'Badeschiff' (Pool ship) on the Spree river as temperatures reach new record highs in Berlin, Germany, July 24, 2019. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

People cool off in the futuristically designed 'Badeschiff' (Pool ship) on the Spree river as temperatures reach new record highs in Berlin, Germany, July 24, 2019. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

People enjoy the warm sunny weather in the futuristically designed 'Badeschiff' (Pool ship) on the Spree river in Berlin, Germany, June 5, 2019. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

People enjoy the warm sunny weather in the futuristically designed 'Badeschiff' (Pool ship) on the Spree river in Berlin, Germany, June 5, 2019. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Considered the cradle of Chinese civilization, the central province of Henan and its 100 million-strong population typifies China's transformative yet often tumultuous economic ascent. Long the sort of impoverished backwater that people left in search of better lives, Henan has in recent years enjoyed the fruits of an economic boom that has raised incomes and given people a taste of middle class lifestyles and aspirations. Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, was transformed into a transportation and logistics hub complete with a futuristic skyline and luxury malls, crisscrossed with freeways and connected by high-speed rail to more affluent cities like Beijing and Shanghai. A vast Foxconn factory in the city, employs almost a quarter of a million people and churns out most of the world's iPhones. However, the gains achieved in Henan and other inland provinces appear fragile, as living and housing costs rise, and China's economy slows. That is threatening the aspirations of a generation of young Chinese in cities like Zhengzhou. The slowdown also undermines one of the government's main hopes for transforming the economy by spurring domestic spending, as well as spreading wealth to the interior of China, which has long lagged the coastal regions that gave birth to China's four-decades-long economic boom. Reuters reporters travelled to six cities across Henan, from bustling Zhengzhou to the smog-choked industrial hub of Anyang in the north, interviewing dozens of residents from all walks to life to document how the economic slowdown feels in the heart of China. REUTERS/Thomas Peter SEARCH "CHINA HENAN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. Matching text: CHINA-ECONOMY/HENAN

Considered the cradle of Chinese civilization, the central province of Henan and its 100 million-strong population typifies China's transformative yet often tumultuous economic ascent. Long the sort of impoverished backwater that people left in search of better lives, Henan has in recent years enjoyed the fruits of an economic boom that has raised incomes and given people a taste of middle class lifestyles and aspirations. Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, was transformed into a transportation and logistics hub complete with a futuristic skyline and luxury malls, crisscrossed with freeways and connected by high-speed rail to more affluent cities like Beijing and Shanghai. A vast Foxconn factory in the city, employs almost a quarter of a million people and churns out most of the world's iPhones. However, the gains achieved in Henan and other inland provinces appear fragile, as living and housing costs rise, and China's economy slows. That is threatening the aspirations of a generation of young Chinese in cities like Zhengzhou. The slowdown also undermines one of the government's main hopes for transforming the economy by spurring domestic spending, as well as spreading wealth to the interior of China, which has long lagged the coastal regions that gave birth to China's four-decades-long economic boom. Reuters reporters travelled to six cities across Henan, from bustling Zhengzhou to the smog-choked industrial hub of Anyang in the north, interviewing dozens of residents from all walks to life to document how the economic slowdown feels in the heart of China. REUTERS/Thomas Peter SEARCH "CHINA HENAN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. Matching text: CHINA-ECONOMY/HENAN

A DS electric E-Tense concept car is displayed on media day at the International Automobile Festival in Paris, France, January 30, 2019. The car is part of an exhibition of futuristic sports cars on show on Paris between January 31 to February 3. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

The Ferrari Monza SP1 concept car is displayed at the International Automobile Festival in Paris, France, January 30, 2019. The car is part of an exhibition of futuristic sports cars on show on Paris between January 31 to February 3. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

A visitor takes a picture of the concept car "A portrait of db", created by designer Takumi Yamamoto, in tribute to the late British singer and songwriter David Bowie at the International Automobile Festival in Paris, France, January 30, 2019. The car is part of an exhibition of futuristic sports cars on show in Paris between January 31 to February 3. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

The Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury concept car is displayed at the International Automobile Festival in Paris, France, January 30, 2019. The car is part of an exhibition of futuristic sports cars on show on Paris between January 31 to February 3. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

Designer Takumi Yamamoto poses next to the concept car "A portrait of db" he created in tribute to the late British singer and songwriter David Bowie at the International Automobile Festival in Paris, France, January 30, 2019. The car is part of an exhibition of futuristic sports cars on show in Paris between January 31 to February 3. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

A staff member has his face scanned at an elevator during a demonstration to the media at Alibaba Group's futuristic FlyZoo hotel in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China January 22, 2019. REUTERS/Xihao Jiang

A staff member walks in the hallway during a demonstration to the media at Alibaba Group's futuristic FlyZoo hotel in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China January 22, 2019. REUTERS/Xihao Jiang

A staff member sits next to smart speaker Tmall Genie during a demonstration to the media inside a room of Alibaba Group's futuristic FlyZoo hotel in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China January 22, 2019. REUTERS/Xihao Jiang

A staff member demonstrates turning on a television through voice command at a room of Alibaba Group's futuristic FlyZoo hotel in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China January 22, 2019. REUTERS/Xihao Jiang

Men walk past Alibaba Group's futuristic FlyZoo hotel in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China January 22, 2019. REUTERS/Xihao Jiang

A staff member demonstrates checking in with a podium at Alibaba Group's futuristic FlyZoo hotel in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China January 22, 2019. REUTERS/Xihao Jiang

Visitors use VR headsets as they try out "The Maze" a VR system that lets people experience driving through futuristic Tokyo, at the Tokyo Connected Lab 2017 during media preview of the 45th Tokyo Motor Show in Tokyo, Japan October 25, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Visitors use VR headsets as they try out "The Maze", a VR system that lets people experience driving through futuristic Tokyo, at the Tokyo Connected Lab 2017 during media preview of the 45th Tokyo Motor Show in Tokyo, Japan October 25, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

A futuristic concept car Audi RSQ is seen during a presentation at the Audi Summit in Barcelona, Spain, July 11, 2017. REUTERS/Albert Gea

People enjoy the warm sunny weather in the futuristically designed 'Badeschiff' (Pool ship) on the Spree river in Berlin, Germany May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

People enjoy the warm sunny weather in the futuristically designed 'Badeschiff' (Pool ship) on the Spree river in Berlin, Germany May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

People enjoy the warm sunny weather in the futuristically designed 'Badeschiff' (Pool ship) on the Spree river in Berlin, Germany May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

People enjoy the warm sunny weather in the futuristically designed 'Badeschiff' (Pool ship) on the Spree river in Berlin, Germany May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Oil and energy company Exxon Mobil's futuristic campus is seen in Spring, Texas, U.S. April 21, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder

Oil and energy company Exxon Mobil's futuristic campus is seen in Spring, Texas, U.S. April 21, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder

Oil and energy company Exxon Mobil's futuristic campus is seen in Spring, Texas, U.S. April 21, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder

Dancers perform a futuristic vision of Romeo and Juliet, choreographed by Angelin Preljocaj at the Beiteddine International Festival in Beiteddine, Mount Lebanon, July 19, 2016. REUTERS/Alia Haju

Dancers perform a futuristic vision of Romeo and Juliet, choreographed by Angelin Preljocaj at the Beiteddine International Festival in Beiteddine, Mount Lebanon, July 19, 2016. REUTERS/Alia Haju

Dancers perform a futuristic vision of Romeo and Juliet, choreographed by Angelin Preljocaj at the Beiteddine International Festival in Beiteddine, Mount Lebanon, July 19, 2016. REUTERS/Alia Haju