Shenzhen 30 Years - PeopleOn Aug 26, 1980, Shenzhen, a fishing village in Southern China's Guangdong province, was approved by the nation's government to become a Special Economic Zone, a blank page ready to be filled. People across the country began to flock to this city, a place offering nothing but dreams then. They were not sure what was waiting for them, all they hoped for was a new beginning.
Shenzhen 30 Years - CityShenzhen is an open city, assimilating people and cultures from all over China. Now most of its residents are non-locals, and Mandarin has replaced Cantonese to become the standard dialect. It is this diversity that makes Shenzhen a dynamic city. Its tolerance not only accelerates the economic development, but also makes people who immigrate here feel the warmth and comfort of home.
Shenzhen 30 Years - LifeShenzhen is a city of love and gratitude, as Shenzhen people know the city's fast development has everything to do with support from other parts of the country. The city, one of the richest regions in China, has been giving back to society. When Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan last year, Shenzhen donated prefabricated houses; and in the recent landslide in Zhouqu county of Gansu province, Shenzhen donated 2 million yuan ($295,400).
Shenzhen 30 Years - DevelopmentIn the past 30 years, Shenzhen has been one of the most successful models of special economic zones, fulfilling many people's dreams. Now the question facing it is how to maintain its economic momentum. In the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, Shenzhen Pavilion calls itself "The Frontier for Chinese Dreams", implying that the city intends to continue producing "Chinese dreams". Shenzhen, now arguably a national economic hub, is aiming higher, hoping to transform its economic success and build itself into an international metropolis.
