A Survey on Shenzhen
Twenty-seven years ago, China began to write her history of reform and opening-up by setting up her first economic special zone here. This 27-year-old city is overflowing with vigor and enthusiasm. It has become the avant-garde of new values and trends of contemporary China.
Shenzhen，the most beautiful coastal city in South China, is known as an “international garden city”. Along its 230 kilometer coastline, there are the most attractive beaches in China, the most popular seaside swimming areas, a national nature reserve of mangroves and national wetland reserve. Shenzhen boasts one of the best habitats in China. The UN Environment Program has conferred upon it one of “the World’s 500 Most Environment-friendly Cities”.
Shenzhen is a fertile land for starting careers, the destination of Chinese migrant workers, and a paradise for the young people to fulfill their dreams. In a short span of 26 years, Shenzhen has grown from a border town of 30,000 residents into one of the youngest modern world cities with more than 8 million people.
Separated from Hong Kong by a narrow river, Shenzhen is the most open special economic zone in China, where one can enjoy all the conveniences available in the world city of Hong Kong. Shenzhen has already opened her arms, ready to welcome the youth of the world.
Shenzhen has the largest number of international ports in China, and is also the only city with land, sea and air ports. It is one of the most important gateways between China and the world: More than half the people who cross the Chinese border each year pass in and out here.
In the one-hour circle with Shenzhen being the centre, one can find the most vibrant airport cluster in China. The area has five large international airports supporting more than 100 international flight routes and more than 600 international daily flights. Its annual handling capacity is nearly 80 million passengers with airlines extending to all destinations in the world and all the large and medium-sized cities in China.
Shenzhen ranks among the top cities in China in terms of the number of people engaged in sports. It also stands out as a city with splendid achievements in sports. Since the establishment of Shenzhen as a city, she has hosted 133 major domestic and international sports events. Besides, Yi Jianlian, Sun Caiyun, Tang Hua and Feng Jing are among the world-class athletes from Shenzhen.
Shenzhen and its environs are home to the most densely-packed universities in southern China, and one of the most important bases for higher education in the country. There are more than 60 universities, 3 university cities, and more than 800,000 university students in the one-hour circle of Shenzhen. It is our expectation that thousands of young people will gather in Shenzhen to cherish this colorful youth and pursue their dreams. It is our hope that by hosting the 2011 Summer Universiade, we will blaze a new trail in executing the FISU Statutes.