The Rise of Shenzhen, a City of Innovation
In about 40 years, Shenzhen, a city in southern China, has developed from a fishing village to a top high-tech city. A pioneer in China’s reform and opening up, Shenzhen has attracted workers from across the world. Innovation lies at the very heart of the city. It has risen to become an important centre for technology industries in the world and is home to many tech giants. Today, it is leading the move from “Made in China” to “Created in China”.
Shenzhen is also active in its drive to become a cultural centre. It offers a wealth of cultural facilities with libraries, museums, theatres and art spaces, as well as many excellent cultural and educational activities. Moreover, the city has won an award from UNESCO for being a role model in encouraging reading among the public.
Shenzhen is working to improve the quality of life for its citizens as well. The city has over 1,000 parks and more than 3,000 kilometers of greenways. Even among the busy streets and tall buildings, you can find peace and quiet in this modem city. Shenzhen is the first city in the world to use green energy for almost all its buses and taxis. “Electric buses produce less air pollution and make little noise, and now people here are enjoying a cleaner environment,”said a city planner.
Since the late 1970s, Shenzhen has developed at an amazing speed and has become a symbol of China’s development. The city’s pioneering spirit, together with the hard work and creativity of its citizens, is certainly the key to Shenzhen’s success.