"Shenzhen" is also a graphic novel by Guy Delisle.

Shenzhen

Administration Type	Sub-provincial city
Area	2020 km² (780 sq. miles)
Population	6.0 million (2004)
GDP	¥493.7 billion
Major Nationalities	Han Chinese
County-level divisions	6
Township-level divisions	Special Economic Zone
Area Code	755

Shenzhen is a sub-provincial city of Guangdong province in southern China, located at the border with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Shenzhen is a centre of foreign investment and since the late 1970s has been one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It is also the busiest port in China after Shanghai. In the past two decades, outsiders have invested more than $30 billion in Shenzhen for building factories and forming joint ventures.

History

The one-time fishing village of Shenzhen, singled out by late Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, was the first of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in China. It was originally established in 1979 due to its proximity to Hong Kong, then a prosperous British colony. The SEZ was created to be an experimental ground of capitalism in "socialism with Chinese characteristics."

The location was chosen to attract industrial investments from Hong Kong since the two places are nearby each other and share the same culture. The concept proved to be a great success, propelling the further opening up of China and continuous economic reform. Shenzhen eventually became one of the largest cities in the Pearl River Delta region, which has become one of the economic powerhouses of China as well as the largest manufacturing base in the world.

Shenzhen, formerly known as 'Bao'an County ' (宝安县), was promoted to prefecture level, directly governed by Guangdong province, in November 1979. In May 1980, Shenzhen was formally nominated as a "special economic zone", the first one of its kind in China. It was given the right of provincial-level economic administration in November 1988.

Shenzhen is the earliest of the five special economic zones in China. Deng Xiaoping is usually credited with the opening up of economic revival in China, often epitomized with the city of Shenzhen, which profited the most from the first legacies of Deng.

Administration

Shenzhen Municipality comprises six districts: Luohu (罗湖), Futian (福田), Nanshan (南山), Yantian (盐田), Bao'an (宝安), and Longgang (龙岗). The Special Economic Zone comprises Luohu, Futian, Nanshan, and Yantian but not Bao'an and Longgang.

Located in the centre of the SEZ and adjacent to Hong Kong, Luohu is the financial and trading centre. It covers an area of 78.89 km². Futian, where the Municipal Government is situated, is at the heart of the SEZ and covers an area of 78.04 km². Covering an area of 164.29 km², Nanshan is the centre for high-tech industries and it is situated in the west of the SEZ. Outside the SEZ, Bao'an (712.92 km²) and Longgang (844.07 km²) are located to the north-west and north-east of Shenzhen respectively. Yantian (75.68 km²) is known for logistics. Yantian Port is the second largest deepwater container terminal in China and fourth largest in the world.

Geography

The boomtown of Shenzhen is located in the Pearl River Delta. The municipality covers an area of 2,020 km² (780 sq. miles) including urban and rural areas, with a population of 13 million. Shenzhen is a sub-tropical maritime region, with frequent tropical cyclones in summer and early autumn, with an average temperature of 22.4°C year-round (72°F) although daytime temperatures can exceed 35°C.

Shenzhen was originally a mountainous area, with fertile agrarian land. However, after the introduction of special economic zone in 1979, Shenzhen underwent trememdous change in landscape. The once hilly fishing village is now replaced by mostly flat ground in downtown area, with only Lian Hua hill (Lotus Hill), Bi Jia Hill (Mount Bi Jia) and Mount WuTong the only three places that have some kind of elevation viewed from satellites. With the influx of emigrants from inland China, Shenzhen is experiencing a second stage booming, and it is now expanding peripherally and the hills in surrounding areas such as Mission Hills are now being toppled over to make land for more development.

Shenzhen is located on the border with the Hong Kong SAR across the Sham Chun River and Sha Tau Kok River, 160 km south of the provincial capital of Guangzhou, and 70 km south of the industrial city of Dongguan. To the west, the resort city of Zhuhai is a 60 km away.

Demographics

Shenzhen has seen its population and activity develop rapidly since the establishment of the SEZ. With its official population listed at around nine million, but estimated at a total population of 17 million in metropolitan and its peripheral areas in 2005, Shenzhen has been the fastest growing city in China for the past 30 years and is likely to be the most rapidly evolving city in the world. However, one problem with such a rampant growth of population is the accompanied problem of people without hukou (with 70% of that number being residents without a permanent hukou), most "old" Shenzhen locals felt that the practice of freeing the city to the inland is making it less competitive with other Chinese cities. Among the reasons for this development is the cost of labour, which is substantially lower than in neighbouring Hong Kong.

There had been migration into southern Guangdong and what is now Shenzhen since the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 A.D.) but the numbers increased dramatically since Shenzhen was established in the 1980s. In Guangdong, it is the only city where Mandarin is mostly spoken, with migrants from all over China. At present, the average age in Shenzhen is less than 30. Among the total, 8.49 percent are between the age of 0 and 14, 88.41 percent between the age of 15 and 59, one-fifth between 20 and 24 and 1.22 percent are aged 65 or above.

The population structure polarizes into two opposing extremes: densely populated intellectuals with a high level of education, and migrant workers with poor education^[1].

According to the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, in 2002, 7,200 Hong Kong residents commuted daily to Shenzhen for work, and 2,200 students from Shenzhen commuted to school in Hong Kong. Though neighbouring each other, daily commuters still need to pass through customs and immigration checkpoints, as travel between the SEZ and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is restricted.

In late July 2003, China relaxed travel restrictions to allow individuals from the southern cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, as well as Beijing and Shanghai, to visit Hong Kong. Previously, mainland travelers could only visit the city as part of tour groups. (See Individual Visit Scheme)

Immigration into Shenzhen from the Chinese interior is heavily restricted by the hukou system. One consequence is that just outside of Shenzhen there are large towns consisting of a large number of migrants from the Chinese interior who attempt to enter the city.

Climate

Shenzhen is situated in the subtropical part of China, located at about the Tropic of Cancer. The weather is generally pleasant in Shenzhen, temperate and mild in the autumn; there is a bit of cool breeze in the winter, but it is just warm enough to do anything, as the South China Sea buffers its climate, so cold snaps are not common. In the spring Shenzhen is relatively dry, and then it has a warm and wet summer, occasionally hit by typhoons from the east, and the temperature can occasionally reach over 35 degrees Celsius.

Economy

In 2001, the working population reached 3.3 million. Though the secondary sector of industry had the largest share (1.85 million in 2001, increased by 5.5%), the tertiary sector of industry is growing fast (1.44 million in 2001, increased by 11.6%). Shenzhen's GDP totaled CNY 568.439 billion in 2006, up by 15 percent over the previous year. Its economy grew by 16.3 percent yearly from 2001 to 2005 on average. The proportion of the three industries to the aggregate of GDP was 0.3:51.6:48.1 in 2004 and 0.2:52.4:47.4 in 2005. The proportion of the tertiary industry to GDP was down by 0.7 percent [1]. Shenzhen is in the top ranks among mainland Chinese cities in terms of comprehensive economic power. It ranked fourth in GDP among mainland Chinese cities in 2001, while it ranked the top in capitation GDP during the same period. Its import and export volumes have been first for the last nine consecutive years. It is the second in terms of industrial output. For five consecutive years, its internal revenue within local budget ranks third. It also ranks third in the actual use of foreign capital. [2]

Shenzhen is a major manufacturing centre in China. One highrise a day and one boulevard every three days is one famous line referring to Shenzhen in the 1990s. With 13 buildings at over 200 metres tall, including the Shun Hing Square (the 9th tallest building in the world), Shenzhen is a marvel of lights after sunset. [3]

Shenzhen is home to some of China's most successful high-tech companies, such as Huawei and ZTE. A number of foreign IT companies also have facilities in the city - Foxconn has a manufacturing plant based in Shenzhen where they make most of the iPods and laptops for Apple Computer. It appears to be shipping a large majority of the new Intel-based machines at this stage. Shenzhen City Commercial Bank is also based in the city.

Shenzhen Stock Exchange

The Shenzhen Stock Exchange (the SSE) is a mutualized national stock exchange under the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the CSRC) that provides a venue for securities trading. A broad spectrum of market participants, including 540 listed companies, 35 million registered investors and 177 exchange members, create the market. Here buying and selling orders are matched in a fair, open and orderly market, through an automated system to create the best possible prices based on price-time priority.

Since its creation in 1990, the SSE has blossomed into a market of great competitive edges in the country, with a market capitalization around RMB 1 trillion (US$ 122 billion). On a daily basis, around 600,000 deals, valued US$ 807 million, trade on the SSE.

China securities market is undergoing fundamental changes. The implementation of the new Securities Law, Company Law, self-innovation strategy as well as the development of non-tradable share reform embodies enormous opportunities to the market. Adhering to the principle of "Regulation, Innovation, Cultivation and Service", the SSE will continue to maintain its focus on developing the Small and Medium Enterprises Board, while seeking for a loose tier market. [4]

The initial public offering (IPO) activity in Shenzhen stock exchange was suspended from September 2000 as the Chinese government pondered merging its bourses into a single exchange in Shanghai and launch a Nasdaq-style second board in Shenzhen aimed at private and technology companies.

Shopping in Shenzhen

Often eclipsed by its neighbouring city Hong Kong's reputation as the world's mega shooping centre, Shenzhen has quietly transformed into a shopping mega itself. Bearing the reputation as the shopping heaven in southern China, Shenzhen boasts some of the largest and best shopping malls in China. Places like Coco Park, MixC, Kingglory and among others are known for their carrying of luxurious brands, featuring stores such as Seibu, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Armani and so on. For everyday purchases, Dongmen and SEG Plaza are known for their wide variety as well as relatively inexpensive items.

One note on shopping in Shenzhen however, is that the city is notorious for selling counterfeit brands in stores. Estimates of fake brands in non-shopping malls range from 50% to 80%, so if you are serious buyer, either go to major shopping malls or Hong Kong for luxurious purchaese.

Cityscape

Shenzhen is home to the world's eighth tallest building, the shun Hing (diwang) building. As people start to congest the downtown area, Shenzhen has built many buildings over 200 meters, mostly in the Luohu and Futian districts. The second tallest building in Shenzhen is SEG plaza at a height of 356 meters (292 meters to roof-top). It is located in the commercial and shopping district of North Hua Qiang (华强北). According to Emporis, Shenzhen is ranked ninth in the world in terms of highrise buildings, and fifth best city skyline in the world.

Shenzhen has some of the most audacious projects that China has ever seen, and it has been a site for China to showcase its wonder. The International Foreign Trade Center (国贸), built in 1985, was the tallest building in China when built, and the Shun Hing buidling was also the tallest in Asia when it was built (still the tallest steel building in the world).

The 439 meters tall Kingkey Finance Tower will be finished in 2009, thus taking the crown as the tallest building in Shenzhen.

Integration with Hong Kong

Many visitors who cross the Hong Kong SAR/mainland China border to Shenzhen go for the shopping, where goods and services are supposedly far cheaper than those in Hong Kong. However, without coming prepared knowing the prices of specific items the goods may end up being far more expensive than in Hong Kong while others are only marginally cheaper, even after a long phase of negotiating.

The shopping mall most visited by tourists is Lo Wu Commercial City, situated close to the railway station. This contains an overwhelming array of beauty parlours and stores selling clothes, handbags, fabric, jewellery and electrical goods as well as many vendors of pirated software, DVDs, counterfeit goods and mobile phones. With the number of tourists, it is also a popular location for prostitution, drugs, pickpockets and begging. However, Hua Qiang Bei (North of Huang Qiang Road) is the real mega shopping area favored by locals.

As of 2005, a modern metro links Lo Wu with most of Shenzhen along its east-west axis.

Port

Situated in the Pearl River Delta in China’s Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Port is adjacent to HK. The city’s 260km coastline is divided by the Kowloon Peninsula into two halves, the eastern and the western. Shenzhen’s western port area lies to the east of Lingdingyang in the Pearl River Estuary and possesses a deep water harbour with superb natural shelters. It is about 20 sea miles from Hong Kong to the south and 60 sea miles from Guangzhou to the north. By passing Pearl River system, the western port area is connected with the cities and counties in Pearl River Delta networks; by passing On See Dun waterway, it extends all ports both at home and abroad. The eastern port area lies north of Dapeng Bay where the harbour is wide and calm and is regarded as the best natural harbour in South China.

Shenzhen handled a record number of containers in 2005, ranking as the world's fourth-busiest port, after rising trade increased cargo shipments through the southern Chinese city. Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, China Merchants Holdings (International) Co and other operators of the port handled 16.2 million standard 20-foot boxes last year, a 19 per cent increase.

Investors in Shenzhen are expanding to take advantage of rising volume. Hong Kong-based Hutchison, the world's biggest port operator, and its mainland Chinese partner plan to add six berths at Yantian by 2010, bringing the total to 15. China Merchants, a State-controlled port manager, said on January 6 it will increase its investment in a container terminal in Shenzhen's Mawan. The company also plans to pay its parent company HK$2.07 billion (US$265 million) for land at Shekou to expand its cargo business.

Yantian International Container Terminals, Chiwan Container terminals, Shekou Container Terminals, China Merchants Port and Shenzhen Haixing (Mawan port) are the major port terminals in Shenzhen.

Transportation

Shenzhen can be reached by air, train, sea or road.

Shenzhen Airport is 35km from central Shenzhen and connects the city with many other parts of China, as well as some international destinations. It is normally cheaper for people based in Hong Kong to fly to Mainland Chinese destinations from Shenzhen than from Hong Kong, and it is usually cheaper for those based in southern Mainland China to fly out of Hong Kong to international destinations. Shenzhen airport is conveniently connected by coach directly to Hong Kong airport for a fee of ¥200 or HK$200. The airport is connected to the city by an airport bus route 330 which terminates at Hualian Dasha in Shennan Zhong Lu. Other city buses also connect with the airport, but some only turn round at the roundabout outside leaving passengers with a long walk.

Shenzhen Railway Station is located at the junction of Jianshe Lu, Heping Lu and Renmin Nan Lu and provides links to different parts of China. There are frequent trains to Guangzhou, plus long-distance trains to Beijing, Jiujiang, Maoming, Shantou and other destinations. The train journey from Hong Kong's Kowloon Tong KCR station to Lo Wu's border crossing takes approximately 40 minutes at a cost of (in September 2003) HK$33, or HK$66 for first class. Trains run every 3-8 minutes from 5:30am to 12:00pm and the border crossing is open daily from 6:30am to midnight.

Although the immigration laws recently changed, most nationalities will still need to apply for a visa, which can be obtained for 160Yuan at the border crossing. UK citizens can apply at the border for 450Yuan. The application process takes up to 20 minutes upon which a 7 day visitor's visa restricted to the Shenzen area is issued. Since 2006, American citizens are no longer allowed visa-on-demand at the border and will have to obtain one prior to going to Shenzhen: 450 HKD for a single entry, 590 HKD for a double entry. Japanese and Singaporean people do not need to apply for a visa.

There is another railway station located in Nanshan District, Shenzhen Xi, which is used for a small number of long distance trains, such as the one to Hefei.

Since February 2003, the road border crossing with Hong Kong at Huanggang has been open 24 hours a day. The journey can be made by private vehicle or by bus. A shuttle bus connects it with the Lok Ma Chau Public Transport Interchange on the other side of the border.

The Shenzhen Metro system opened on 27 December 2004. It has two lines, one from Luohu (Lo Wu & Shenzhen railway stations) to Window of the World, and the other from Huanggang to a point further north.

Taxis are metered and come in three colours. Red taxis may travel anywhere, green ones are restricted to outside the SEZ, and yellow ones are restricted to inside the SEZ.

Shenzhen is also connected by fast ferries linking Shekou, on the west edge of the SEZ with Zhuhai, Macau, Hong Kong International Airport, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.

Tourist attractions

Although Shenzhen enjoys a good reputation for shopping and travel, some Hong Kong citizens are concerned about the relatively high crime rate in Shenzhen. Reports of businessmen and tourists being robbed and kidnapped in Shenzhen are not uncommon in Hong Kong newspapers.

Shenzhen's major tourist attractions include the Chinese Folk Culture Villages, the Window of the World, Happy Valley, Splendid China and the Safari Park in Nanshan district, the Dameisha Promenade and Xiaomeisha Beach Resort in Yantian district, Zhongying Street, Xianhu Lake Botanical Garden, and the Minsk World. The city also offers free admission to a number of public parks including the Lianhuashan Park, Lizhi Park and Wutongshan Park. Shenzhen is famous for the great variety of cuisines that its numerous restaurants provide.

Most tourists, however, choose to stay in a largely expatriate residential community called Shekou, home to a large confiscated (on drug smuggling charges) French cruise liner cemented into the ground.

See the Shenzhen travel guide on the Wikitravel site for further details.

Colleges and universities

• Shenzhen University
• Shenzhen Polytechnic
• Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology

Shenzhen will be the host city of the 2011 Summer Universiade.

Sister Cities

• Houston, United States March 1986
• Brisbane, Australia June 1992.
• Poznań, Poland July 1993
• Kingston, Jamaica March 1995
• Lomé, Togo June 1996
• Nuremberg, Germany May 1997
• Tsukuba, Japan June 2004
• Gwangyang, South Korea October 2004
• Johor Bahru, Malaysia July 2006
• Turin, Italy January 2007
• Timişoara, Romania February 2007

Overseas Representative Offices

The Shenzhen City Government and the Shenzhen Bureau of Trade and Industry maintain offices overseas to promote trade and investment in Shenzhen. This makes Shenzhen unique as the only major Chinese city to station full-time representatives overseas. This effort has served to attract major investment projects and helped Shenzhen-based companies expand their markets by providing free assistance and government support.

• North American Representative Office of Shenzhen (Los Angeles)
• Europe Representive Office of Shenzhen (based in Nuremberg)
• Shenzhen Economic and Trade Representative Office in Japan (based in Tokyo)
• Additional offices are planned for New York, Brisbane, Frankfurt, and Moscow.

References

See also

• Economy of the People's Republic of China
• Political divisions of China
• Sham Chun River (also known as Shenzhen River)
• Shenzhen Jianlibao

External links

• Shenzhen Party City & Nightlife Guide to Shenzhen
• North American Representative Office of Shenzhen, P.R. China (NAROS)
• Shenzhen Government Online
• Shenzhen News Net (English)
• Shenzhen Travel Guide
• Shenzhen Airport
• Shenzhen Daily - News
• China Medical University

Template:Major cities of Greater China

22°33′N 114°06′E / 22.550°N 114.100°E / 22.550; 114.100