At the just concluded 2000 international "City of Garden" competition, Shenzhen took the first place of cities with a population size of over one million and became the first Chinese city crowned with the laurel.

The UN-approved international competition, ordinarily reputed as "Green Oscar", has its designated purpose to evaluate world cities in regards to environment and ecological protection, utilizing of resources, men and nature, as well as sustainable development. Sponsored by IFPRA, so far it has only 26 cities thus crowned with the title, of which only two, Toronto of Canada and Salvador of Brazil, have had a population of over one million.

Altogether 45 cities from 23 countries participated in competing for the title of "City of Garden". Shenzhen as the only candidate of China finally beat other foreign finalists as America's Chicago, Phoenix, South Africa’s 's Pretoria, Russia’s 's Nizhniy Novgorod in claiming the honor of "City of Garden". It has also been given the right to host the 2001 competition.

(People’s Daily 12/06/2000)