Shenzhen: A Pioneering and Innovative City

Shenzhen: A Pioneering and Innovative City

Situated in the south of China’s Guangdong Province, Shenzhen is adjacent to Hong Kong to the south, and the Pearl River to the west. Since 1978, this city became China’s first and one of the most successful Special Economy Zone (SEZ).

Shenzhen has been transformed from a small border town into a modern dynamic city noted for its economic prosperity, comprehensive infrastructure, sound legal system and beautiful environment. As a miracle in the history of industrialization, urbanization and modernization, Shenzhen epitomizes China’s achievements in reform and opening-up.

Economic Strength

The city is a link between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. It leads in hightech development, financial services, foreign trade, shipping, and creative and cultural industries. It has undertaken a mission to pilot China’s structural reform and continue opening up to the outside world.

As an important center of high-technology, logistics, and finance in Asia, Shenzhen ranks fourth on Chinese mainland in terms of economic power and is among the top mainland cities for economic returns. Shenzhen placed second on the list of 2013 Chinese cities' comprehensive economic competitiveness, according to the 2014 Competitiveness of Chinese Cities Blue Book.

In 2014, Shenzhen's economy maintained a healthy momentum of growth. GDP grew by 8.8% to 1.60 trillion yuan. Its value-added of primary industry decreased by 19.4% to 529 million yuan, the secondary industry increased by 7.7% to 682.305 billion yuan and tertiary industry grew by 9.8% to 917.364 billion yuan. The primary industry in Shenzhen accounted for less than 0.1% of total GDP, while the secondary and tertiary industries occupied 42.7% and 57.3% of GDP respectively. The GDP per capital of Shenzhen reached 149,497 yuan, an increase of 7.7%, which was about $24,337 by using the the average exchange rate between renminbi and the U. S. Dollar in 2014.

Sister City Twined with Shenzhen

On September 1, 2012, a memorandum of understanding on strengthening exchanges and friendship was signed by Xu Qin, Mayor of Shenzhen of China and Dada Rosada, Mayor of Indonesia's Bandung which marks that the two cities established sister-city relations and the bilateral cooperation has been strengthened. Since the relationship was established, the two cities share respect, contacts and maintain good friendship. Meanwhile, fruitful exchanges and cooperation are carried out on both sides in many aspects such as economy, education, tourism, trade and culture, which has vigorously promoted the development of Shenzhen’s foreign exchanges and cooperation, elevated its international reputation and built a goodopening-up image for the city.

The exchange between the two cities is blossoming and it is hoped that the goodwill and understanding could be increased not only between the two cities, but also between Indonesia and China.

Tourism

Shenzhen is home to several theme parks, including China Folk Culture Village, Splendid China, Window of the World and Happy Valley. All are vivid miniatures of China’s cultural integration with world civilizations. Covering an area of more than 200,000 square meters, China Folk Culture Village is the first large cultural tourism destination that integrates the arts, customs and architectures of the different ethnic groups of China. The Village stages various kinds of shows and performances, including folk performances, presentation of folk handcrafts and folk festivals, such as the China Folk Temple Fair, the Water-Sprinkling Festival, the Torch Festival, the Xishuangbanna Month and the Inner Mongolia Week. These events present the pure, rich and colorful folk cultures and customs of all the ethnic groups of China, introducing tourists to the enormous charm of the Chinese nation.

City of Pianos

Shenzhen’s piano education level tops the nation. A string of talented pianists, including Li Yundi, Chen Sa, Zhang Haochen, Gu Jingdan and Pan Linzi have garnered awards in prestigious international contests. Piano education is growing more popular among Shenzhen primary and middle school students. There are 8.2 pianos for every 100 Shenzhen families. Many piano masters have made Shenzhen their base for career development.

Special Local Food

Shajing oyster, coming from the mouth of the Pearl River where salty and fresh waters meet, is a famous Shenzhen specialty. Big and fleshy, the oysters are tender in texture and rich in protein and vitamins. Their content of iodine is 200 times than in milk and egg yolk. Gongming Roasted Goose in Gongming Township, Bao’an District is well-known for its color, aroma and flavor. The golden crisp skin is tasty while the meat is fat but not greasy. Xixiang Shrimps are produced in Xixiang, Bao’an District. Small in size with the shape like the middle finger, the shrimps have transparent body and tender meat.The Nan’ao Township is China’s largest abalone breeding base for Nan’ao Abalone. With tender meat and rich nutrition, it has been regarded as a treasured delicacy since ancient times.