The photo shows a view of Shenzhen's central axis from the top of Lianhua Hill. (Photo by Liang Xu)
BEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- As China's first special economic zone celebrates its 45th anniversary, Shenzhen continues to embody the pioneering spirit of reform and opening up. From a once-quiet fishing village to a vibrant international metropolis, the city has grown into a powerful engine of innovation, modernization and global cooperation.
Openness has always been Shenzhen's defining strength. The city's cumulative utilized foreign investment has exceeded 120 billion U.S. dollars, while its export volume has long ranked first among China's major cities.
Over 300 Fortune Global 500 companies have established projects here, and multinational enterprises such as Tesla and Panasonic remain enthusiastic about investing in Shenzhen. The China-Europe freight trains departing from Shenzhen links the city's factories with European markets, while its thriving cross-border e-commerce and international logistics networks demonstrate Shenzhen's deep integration into the global economy.
In recent years, Shenzhen has advanced institutional innovation in areas such as cross-border data flow, green finance and digital currency.
The Sino-German (Europe) Industrial Park in Bao'an District has become a flagship platform for high-level industrial cooperation, attracting leading German enterprises and research institutions.
Shenzhen also strives to foster an open and inclusive environment for global talent. The Longhua International Cooperation Center connects more than 500 international organizations and offers multilingual, one-stop services for foreign enterprises and residents, helping them better integrate into the city's dynamic economy.
In Nanshan District, Zhaoshang Subdistrict continues to exemplify Shenzhen's spirit of inclusiveness. Through platforms such as the Nanshan International Exchange & Service Center, the subdistrict provides multilingual services covering work permits, legal consultation and local living guidance, while regularly hosting multicultural events to promote community integration.
Today, Shenzhen's openness extends beyond business to culture and everyday life. Foreign residents can experience Chinese calligraphy and painting, South American handicrafts, French fashion, and Portuguese art, or visit landmarks to feel the city's creativity and vitality.
Shenzhen is set to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in November 2026. With its open economy, dynamic industries and people-centered governance, the city stands as a vivid example of China's reform and innovation, ready to showcase its openness and vitality on the global stage.
(Edited by Yang Yifan with Xinhua Silk Road, yangyifan@xinhua.org)
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