From “one-meter counter” to business hub, Huaqiangbei witnesses the growth of the electronics industry

In the past two days, netizens in Shenzhen have been posting posts about "encountering Kang Hui by chance". Everyone is curious about what Kang Hui did when he went to Huaqiangbei? The answer is revealed - Teacher Kang experiences being a maker and takes the challenge of making a small product with his own hands!

Huaqiangbei is a must-visit place for many people when visiting Shenzhen. "China Haul" is particularly popular this year. Many foreign tourists come to Huaqiangbei with empty suitcases to shop for goods. Technological fashion products such as robots, AI glasses, and AI watches have become “must-buy lists.”

From "China's No. 1 Electronics Street" to "No. 1 Source of New Quality Productivity", follow the reporter to discover how the "One Meter Counter" in Huaqiang Beili has transformed into a magnificent transformation?

Emerging entrepreneurship: from rice fields to electronic shopping streets

CCTV reporter Zheng Yizhe: Taking advantage of the development of the special zone and witnessing the growth of the electronics industry, this is China’s No. 1 Electronics Street - Huaqiang North. How did this unique spiritual foundation form over decades?

Wang Xiaojun, Director of Huaqiangbei Museum: This was originally Baoan County, and the place where I stood was a rice field. Over the past 40 years, there have been many changes, but as soon as I think about it, so many people came to build Shenzhen.

At that time, Shenzhen became a special economic zone and this area was planned as Shangbu Industrial Zone. In 1988, SEG Group founded China's first electronic equipment market, where more than 170 manufacturers traded freely, igniting the flames of the market.

Wang Xiaojun, Director of Huaqiangbei Museum: Any accessories related to electronic products you can think of can be purchased here.

Dreams set sail: from "one-meter counter" to business hub

This step transformed Huaqiangbei from a factory area into a business hub. The "one-meter counter" made of large pieces of transparent glass is filled with electronic parts and products, becoming the starting point for countless entrepreneurs.

Wang Xiaojun, Director of Huaqiangbei Museum: Although it is said to be a "one-meter counter", it is actually 1.2 meters. There may be three or five merchants inside using one counter together. The cost of starting a business here is extremely low. There is no need to rent high-rise buildings. A young person can come with a dream. As long as he is diligent and persistent, he may realize his dream.

Rooted and growing: from an office to a tech giant

Countless grassroots counterattack stories have happened here, including a Chinese company that we are very familiar with. In Tencent's first office in Huaqiangbei, the first line of QQ code was written here.

Tencent Employee No. 38 Hua Feifei: At that time, college students would choose Huaqiangbei for anything related to major trends such as electronics, computers, and the Internet.

This office located on the fourth floor of Huaqiangbei SEG Technology Park still retains the first server of QQ software.

Tencent employee No. 38 Hua Feifei: There was not much money during the entrepreneurial stage, so my colleagues purchased spare parts in Huaqiangbei and assembled the first server by themselves.

Be brave enough to innovate and make breakthroughs, and time will give you the answer.

Si Xiao, Vice President of Tencent Group: From an office of more than 30 square meters in Huaqiangbei to today's scale, innovations in the fields of engines, rendering, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other fields are even more flourishing.

Constant iteration: from electronic accessories to technologically innovative fashion products

Today's Huaqiangbei is home to 110,000 commercial entities and the starting point for more than 100 listed companies. "China's No. 1 Electronics Street" is also the "No. 1 Source of New Quality Productivity". When the eyes of the Asia-Pacific and the world focus on Shenzhen, Huaqiangbei responds with innovation, openness and collaboration.

Wang Xiaojun, Director of Huaqiangbei Museum: The latest brain-computer interface products and the latest AI glasses can all be purchased in Huaqiangbei.

Thousands of design, R&D, testing and mass production companies are interconnected in Huaqiangbei, achieving extremely rapid transformation of "design in the morning, proofing in the afternoon, mass production the next day, and going overseas in a week".

Wang Xiaojun, Director of Huaqiangbei Museum: The "one-meter counter" has not changed for decades, but the products are constantly updated - not by years, but by days. This is the speed of Shenzhen and the speed of Huaqiangbei. Huaqiangbei has grassroots roots, but as long as you have the courage to do it, it is a place where miracles can be created.

Reporters | Zheng Yizhe, Ma Yuanjing, Zhu Ping, Fan Yueming