Since the beginning of this year, Shenzhen has made great strides in becoming an increasingly internationalized city, speeding up efforts to strengthen international exchanges and expand its international “circle of friends.”
1. A must-visit place for foreign dignitaries
Delegations of foreign political dignitaries, foreign-funded enterprises and foreign associations flocked to Shenzhen in 2023. Shenzhen received a record high of over 400 visits by foreign delegations throughout the year, including eight foreign delegations led by heads of state and more than 100 high-level foreign delegations.
Scott M. O’Neil, chief executive officer of Merlin Entertainments, applies a finishing touch to the hotel sample rooms at Legoland Shenzhen Resort in Dapeng New Area in April. Courtesy of Legoland
2. Expanded intl. friendship network
Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro became a new addition to Shenzhen’s friendly exchange cities network in 2023, elevating the number of international friendly exchange cities to 90, representing 57 countries around the world.
3. Large intl. events
Delegations from roughly 105 countries and regions participated in the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, the largest in its history in terms of exhibition area, participating countries and regions, and exhibits.
A German exhibitor shows a micro-lathe to visitors to the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair. Xinhua
The 19th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair brought together more than 300 overseas exhibitors from some 50 countries and regions.
In addition to hosting the 2023 Shenzhen Global Investment Promotion Conference, Shenzhen also held more than 60 important investment promotion and exchange activities throughout the year.
The 2023 Shenzhen Marathon welcomed 20,000 participants from around the world.
The 21st Conference on International Exchange of Professionals, China’s largest and highest-level gathering of national and international talent, attracted 2,684 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions.
4. Intl. exchanges and cooperation
Shenzhen continued to strengthen official and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation with countries and regions across the five continents.
Hadar Shor, director of the China, India, Africa and Middle East Department of Ministry of Economy and Industry of Israel, speaks at the Shenzhen Israel Scientific and Technological Innovation Exchange Meeting in Tel Aviv during Shenzhen Government delegation's visit to Israel. Sun Jin
The city government delegation visited Israel, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Malaysia and deepened cooperation with ASEAN in the fields of digital economy and innovation-driven development.
5. Intl. blocks
Shenzhen took the lead in the country to pilot the building of international blocks in 2019. The city unveiled its first batch of 20 international blocks in February this year and announced the start of construction of the second batch of 20 international blocks in October.
Expats attend a ceremony held in Bao’an District in October where the second batch of Shenzhen’s international blocks were unveiled. Wang Jingli
6. Participation in intl. dialogue
The World Innovative Cities Cooperation Organization (WICCO) is an international organization initiated and established by Shenzhen. This year, Shenzhen has accelerated the expansion of WICCO, which now has 80 member cities covering 23 countries and regions worldwide.
7. Intl. Mangrove Center
China’s proposal for the establishment of an international mangrove center in Shenzhen was approved by the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention at its 62nd meeting in Geneva in September. It marked the official establishment of the International Mangrove Center in Shenzhen.
The Shenzhen delegation to the 62nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention. Courtesy of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration
8. EyeShenzhen multilingual website
The EyeShenzhen multilingual website started its trial operation June 10 and was officially launched Aug. 26. The website, www.eyeshenzhen.com, features nine foreign languages, i.e., English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Arabic and Portuguese, providing residents, investors and tourists with all-inclusive and up-to-date information about Shenzhen.
