Shenzhen in November is full of lush vegetation and scattered flowers. In a few days, the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Informal Leaders’ Meeting will be held here.
Openness is the lifeline of Asia-Pacific cooperation and one of the three priority areas of APEC's "Year of China". Over the past 40 years, Shenzhen's transformation from a border town to a modern international metropolis is a vivid footnote to China's mutually beneficial and win-win opening-up strategy. When APEC and Shenzhen meet, the story of openness is extended here, projecting a new picture of Asia-Pacific cooperation.
In eastern Shenzhen, new energy vehicles that have just rolled off the assembly line at BYD's Shenshan factory can appear at the Xiaomo International Logistics Port 3 kilometers away in as little as 5 minutes, boarding a roll-off ship and bound for the Asia-Pacific market.
In this "City of Miracles", similar scenes are played out every day: giant ships are constantly coming and going in the port area, and airport flights are taking off and landing, connecting the supply and demand chains among Asia-Pacific economies along the routes that extend in all directions.
On November 11, electronic products such as artificial intelligence (AI) robots in Huaqiangbei, Shenzhen, Guangdong attracted overseas merchants. Photo by China News Service reporter Chen Chuhong
In recent years, relying on its port and route network advantages, Shenzhen has continued to open up channels for personnel exchanges in the Asia-Pacific, providing physical support for regional connectivity. Entering APEC's "Year of China", Shenzhen Port has opened 30 new routes passing through other APEC member economies, continuously connecting the Asia-Pacific shipping network. According to statistics, in the first 10 months of this year, there were more than 1.25 million inbound and outbound foreign passengers from APEC member economies at the Shenzhen Airport Port, setting a record high for the same period in history.
Close personnel exchanges accumulate momentum for economic and trade cooperation. "Made in Shenzhen" products such as new energy vehicles and smart glasses are selling well in the Asia-Pacific market, and Southeast Asian fruits are quickly reaching people's dining tables in the Greater Bay Area. Transnational giants from other APEC member economies continue to invest in Shenzhen, and a large number of Shenzhen companies have gone to the Asia-Pacific to deploy production bases... This "two-way rush" across mountains and seas provides solid support for economic development.
In the first half of this year, Shenzhen's imports and exports to other APEC economies reached 1.98 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 33%, a record high for the same period in history.
Behind the eye-catching data is the continuous deepening of openness for the flow of goods and factors, and the steady advancement of institutional openness such as rules, regulations, management, and standards.
In recent years, Shenzhen has taken the initiative to set high standards for international economic and trade rules, relying on Qianhai, Hetao and other platforms for pilot trials, promoting the connection of domestic and international rules and mechanisms, and continuing to create a market-oriented, legal and international business environment. "Since landing in Bao'an, Shenzhen, we have fully felt the speed and warmth of Shenzhen's services. The corporate services here are professional and efficient." said Shi Zhu, managing director of the Greater China Region of Debao Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., a German-funded enterprise.
The 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Informal Meeting is about to begin, and Shenzhen has fully entered “welcome mode”. The picture shows the APEC-themed flower bed on Shennan Avenue on November 11. Photo by China News Service reporter Chen Chuhong
At present, the airport implements "preliminary machine inspection", and entry customs clearance is shortened to less than 15 minutes during peak periods; intelligent translation equipment is put into key areas such as buses, subways, and government affairs halls, and taxis are equipped with AI translators; all subway lines support overseas bank cards that can be tapped to pass through the gate... As an important city in China's opening up to the outside world, Shenzhen is continuing to open its doors and welcome incoming visitors from the Asia-Pacific with more convenient measures.
Some commentators believe that taking the conference as an opportunity, Shenzhen will continue to improve opening conditions, provide more support for Asia-Pacific personnel exchanges and economic and trade exchanges, and inject new impetus into the development of the Asia-Pacific.
A window into one city provides a glimpse into Asia-Pacific cooperation. People expect that when the grand event kicks off, the world will witness not only the vitality of Shenzhen, but also a new chapter in the APEC opening-up story. (over)
