August 26 marks the 45th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ), celebrating one of the world’s most extraordinary urban transformations.
What began in 1980 as a tiny coastal fishing village in Guangdong Province on the Chinese mainland is now a global powerhouse, ranking as China’s third-largest city by GDP. Today, Shenzhen is home to over 4.5 million businesses, including 25,000 national high-tech enterprises—an average of 12 per square kilometer.
From 38 Million to 3.68 Trillion Yuan
In the blink of an eye, Shenzhen’s GDP catapulted from 270 million yuan (roughly $38 million) in 1980 to 3.68 trillion yuan in 2024—an increase of more than 10,000 times. That explosive growth was fueled by policy incentives, international partnerships, and a bold vision for innovation.
Innovation at the Core
Shenzhen’s skyline is defined by giants like Huawei, BYD, and DJI, but the city’s engine now runs on AI, 5G, and drones. The added value of strategic emerging industries jumped from 1.01 trillion yuan in 2019 to 1.56 trillion yuan in 2024, accounting for 42.3% of the city’s GDP.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are thriving: more than 11,000 specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative firms, including 1,025 national-level "little giants" pushing niche breakthroughs and strengthening global supply chains.
A Global Maritime Gateway
Shenzhen Port is the world’s fourth busiest container port, with 2024 throughput up 11.7% year-on-year. The marine economy generated 540.9 billion yuan—14.7% of GDP—growing by 5.8%, cementing its status as a key maritime hub.
As Shenzhen celebrates 45 years, its journey from fishing boats to tech labs offers a blueprint for 21st-century urban success—proof that with vision, policy, and people, any place can redefine its destiny.
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Shenzhen grows from a coastal fishing village into a global metropolis
cgtn.com
