District-wide internationalization

In September 2024, the district-level Internationalization Initiatives group was established and was personally deployed by the main leaders of the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the district government. Six special working groups were set up, covering comprehensive planning research, business environment improvement, international cultural exchange, innovation of educational and scientific talent, promotion of signage guidelines, and international image promotion, to coordinate and promote the internationalization construction arrangements of the entire district.

Development of International Blocks

By 2023, the first batch of four international blocks was established, evaluated, and accepted, with Shekou, Zhaoshang, and Yuehai blocks ranking among the top three. According to the city’s plan for creating international characteristic blocks, two blocks from Nanshan – the OCT international block in Shahe Subdistrict and the Qianhai international block in Nanshan Subdistrict – successfully applied for the second batch of international blocks for 2023-2025.

Internationalization of Language Environment

The district has planned and compiled the Nanshan Service Manual for Expats. Copies of the manual are distributed to key locations such as various foreign-related service platforms and the Shekou Cruise Homeport.

The district has carried out rectification work on public signage, conduct inspection work on public signage, standardize English signage in major venues within the jurisdiction, optimize and change problematic English signage. A total of 3,280 pieces were inspected and 110 pieces were rectified.

The district promoted the compilation and implementation of the “Guidelines for International Identification System in Nanshan District” and has built an internationalization identification material library and related applications in a systematic form.

Construction of the English website for the district government

In 2023, a comprehensive revision and upgrade for the English website was completed, with the addition of an international block column in multiple languages including Japanese, French, and Korean. Over 590 pieces of information were published throughout the year. In 2024, a new column “Nanshan: Global Vision, Shared Future” was opened on the website, showcasing the district’s achievements in internationalization.

Building image for an internationalized district

On Sept. 27, 2024, Nanshan District hosted a momentous event to unveil its new image identification system and the launch of the 2024 Nanshan International Cultural Exchange Season.

From Oct. 17th to 23, 2024, the Forces of Fashion event was held in Nanshan. The event has been held in cities such as New York, London, Rome, and Shanghai. In its eighth year, it was heldin Nanshan.

Since 2019, the “Discover Nanshan” series of activities has been successfully held for six consecutive years. The activities have guided foreign residents to understand Nanshan and integrate into Nanshan through different ways and perspectives.

Co-construction of internationalized district

The district continues to assist in the construction of international service platforms such as the Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats, the Nanshan International Cultural Exchange & Service Center, and the Yuehai Enterprise Service. Ithas created the largest international volunteer team in the city with nearly 1,500 people, and guided international volunteers to provide suggestions and recommendations for the construction of a livable and business friendly international urban area in Nanshan.

International groups to Nanshan

The district received 12 important foreign delegations, including the Columbia University student delegation, Sri Lanka press delegation, and athink tank delegation from Western European left parties in 2023.

By Oct. 2024, Nanshan has received 28 important foreign delegations, including the Washington high school student delegation, the Pakistan delegation, and the Brazilian youngdiplomat delegation, to visit and conduct research in the district.

On Sept. 8, 2023, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro visited the Shenzhen Talent Park, watched light shows and drone performances, learned from Shenzhen’s innovative development experience, and further promoted exchanges and cooperation between the two sides.

On Oct. 19, 2023, the delegation led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited the “Great Tides Surge Along the Pearl River: 40 Years of Reform and Opening-up in Guangdong” at Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up Exhibition Hall and the Nanshan Culture and Sports Center to experience the development process of Shenzhen’s reform, opening-up and innovation.

On April 6, 2024, the President of the Federated States of Micronesia, Wesley Simina, and his delegation visited Hytera Communications Corp. Ltd. and the Nanshan Energy Ecological Park to promote friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between the Federated States of Micronesia and Guangdong.

On June 5, 2024, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led a delegation to visit Shenzhen, and the Nanshan District Government Service Center. On June 25, Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra visited an exhibition titled “The Son of the Sun – The Inca and Their Tawantinsuyu: The Land of Four Quarters” at the Nanshan Museum during her visit to Shenzhen.

On July 8, 2024, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, Charlot Salwai, visited the Nanshan Energy Ecological Park and other places to experience Shenzhen’s technological innovation and green development.

Nanshan's International Sister District Relations

At present, Nanshan has established international sister district relations with four cities, as follows:

On Jan. 9, 2015, the then district mayor Yu Xinguo visited Marbella, Spain on official business and signed a memorandum of understanding on friendly exchanges and cooperation with the then mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz.

On April 25, 2017, a delegation led by former mayor and council member of Cupertino City, Barry Chang, visited Nanshan. In the presence of the then Nanshan Party chief, Wang Qiang, and deputy district mayor Xie Bingwen, the two sides signed a memorandum of friendly exchanges and cooperation.

On Sept. 17, 2018, the then Nanshan Party chief, Wang Qiang led a delegation to visit Finland and had in-depth exchanges with the leaders of Tampere City, Finland. They jointly signed a letter of intent to establish friendly relations.

On Nov. 23, 2018, a delegation from the government of Nantes, France visited Nanshan. The district and the city of Nantes officially signed a memorandum of friendly exchanges and cooperation.