The Economy
20 years of rapid economic growth has brought Shenzhen to the forefront of major Chinese cities in terms of overall economic strength. An export-oriented economy within a market framework has taken shape. GDP for 1999 stood at US$ 17.35 billion, ranking the sixth among major mainland cities. Industrial output value hit US$ 24.47 billion, coming off the fourth in the nation. Import and export of goods and services totaled US$ 50.42 billion, rendering Shenzhen to be the largest hard currency earner in China for seven years on end.

Shenzhen boasts a complete range of industries covering over 2,000 product lines. Recent years have seen the rapid development of high-tech industries featuring computer and software, telecommunications, bio-engineering, microelectronics and accessories. In 1999 the value derived from high-tech businesses took up 40.5% of the total industrial output, the highest proportion in all major cities. In 1999 the high-tech sector registered US $6.018 billion worth of exports representing a year-on-year rise of 8.26%. Priority is given to nurturing export bases for high-tech products. A batch of high-tech enterprises have sprung up in the process, each of which exporting a minimum of US $ 100 million worth of goods and services. The services sectors gaining ever greater momentum as such emerging industries as finance, information, tourism, trade, real estate, warehousing, and transportation conspire to make Shenzhen stay competitive. As one of the two stock exchanges in China with a host of financial institutions, Shenzhen is fast becoming a regional financial center. By the end of 1999, 100 financial institutions dot the city with a professional staff of 30,000. Economic and trade links with over 120 countries and regions in the world have been established.

Science and technology is playing an increasingly upfront role in the growth of the local economy. The city has to its credit 200 RSD centers whose rate of materialization is as high as 90%.

Living in shenzhen
With a beautiful landscape and mild climate, Shenzhen is a seaboard city green all the year round. Its tourist resources and recreational facilities are distinct and unique. Splendid China, the world's largest miniature scenic park, China Fold Culture Villages, Window of the World, the Safari Park, the Botanical Garden, and a number of seaside bathing beaches are attracting huge numbers of tourists from home and abroad. There are 7 golf courses of international standards hosting many national and international events.

Hotel business is brisk in Shenzhen with 6 five-star hotels and 4 tour-star ones. Restaurants serving both Chinese cuisine and Western food number over 2,000, where you can have a taste of both pretty easily. Visa-tree access is given to foreign visitors in group from Hongkong for a 72-hour stay in Shenzhen. The annual patronage for 1999 exceeded 17 million, of which 2.4 million were overnight visitors from around the world.

Local commodity markets are brisk and flourishing. Department stores, supermarkets, franchised shops, duty-free shops, wholesale outlets are everywhere, so much so that shopping in Shenzhen is such a convenience and great fun. Walmart and Carrefour the worldˇ¦s largest retailers have had successful operations in Shenzhen. In 1999 retail sales hit US$ 5.64 billion.

With a 44 percentage of green coverage, Shenzhen is blessed with a very good ecological record and clean air. It is honored as one of the few environmentally friendly cities as well as one of the best tourist cities in China.

Culture,Education and Health Care
A host of cultural facilities have been set up including city library, museum, TV and radio stations, theaters and art centers. There are 2 universities, 408 primary and high schools and 560 kindergartens. Several international schools and kindergartens are open to foreign ethnic children in Shenzhen.

There are 79 hospitals equipped with update medical facilities and a professional team of 15,000.