Didn’t you know that Shenzhen was once Bao’an County? Today, we are exploring Zhenlong Town. This town’s name echoes through centuries.
Shenzhen sits in Guangdong Province. It borders Hong Kong. Shenzhen is a special economic zone. This status transformed it. Deng Xiaoping’s reforms made it China’s first special economic zone. Foreign investment flooded in. Migrants sought opportunities. Shenzhen’s economy and population exploded.
Before Shenzhen became a city, locals called paddy field drains “Zhen”. Shenzhen’s name comes from a deep drain in the area. The earliest mention of “Zhen” dates back to 1410 during the Ming dynasty.
Evidence shows humans lived here 6700 years ago. Historic counties emerged 1700 years ago. Nantou and Dapeng towns were built over 600 years ago. The Hakka people arrived 300 years ago.
Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified China in 214 BC. The area became part of the Nanhai Commandery. This integrated it into Zhongyuan culture. In 331 AD, the Eastern Jin Dynasty created Dongguan Commandery. Bao’an County was one of its six counties. The commandery was located around modern Nantou.
During the Song Dynasty, this area thrived in trade. Salt and spices flowed through the South China Sea. Pearls became a Yuan Dynasty specialty. Ming Dynasty sailors prayed at Chiwan’s Mazu temple. They sought protection for voyages to Southeast Asia. The Battle of Tunmen saw the Ming defeat Portuguese invaders. It occurred south of Nantou.
To prevent rebellion by Ming loyalists, the Qing Dynasty reorganized the coast. Bao’an County lost two-thirds of its land to Dongguan in 1669. After the Opium Wars, Britain seized Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula. In 1898, Britain leased the New Territories for 99 years. Xin’an lost 1,055.61 square kilometres to the British.
In 1911, Xin’an residents rebelled against the Qing. The Kowloon–Canton Railway opened. Shenzhen railway station became the last stop on the Chinese side. This boosted the town’s economy. In 1913, Xin’an County was renamed Bao’an County.
During the 1925 Canton–Hong Kong strike, Shenzhen hosted strike workers. The strike committee provided pickets. Armored vehicles blockaded Hong Kong. In 1931, Chen Jitang opened casinos in Shenzhen.
During World War II, the Japanese occupied Shenzhen. The Bao’an County government moved to Dongguan County. In 1941, the British detonated the Lo Wu Bridge. They prevented the Japanese from entering Hong Kong.
In 1953, Bao’an County moved its government to Shenzhen. The town was closer to the railway. It also possessed a larger economy. From the 1950s to 1970s, refugees escaping to Hong Kong increased.
In 1978, the State Council considered creating a foreign trade port in Bao’an County. They proposed turning Bao’an County into an export base. In August 1978, a proposal suggested renaming Bao’an County to Shenzhen. Locals knew Shenzhen better.
On January 23, 1979, Bao’an County became Shenzhen. The State Council approved it on March 5. Shenzhen would have six districts. In late January 1979, Shekou Industrial Zone was established. It was led by Hong Kong’s China Merchants Group under Yuan Geng.
In April 1979, a “trade cooperation zone” was proposed for Shenzhen. That same month, Shenzhen was designated as a special economic zone. In November, Shenzhen became a prefecture-level city.
In May 1980, Shenzhen became China’s first special economic zone. It was an experiment in market capitalism. On August 26, regulations for the Guangdong Special Economic Zone were approved.
In March 1981, Shenzhen became a sub-provincial division. There were plans for Shenzhen to develop its currency. In 1983, barbed wire and checkpoints appeared along the SEZ’s borders.
In December 1990, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange was established. In February 1992, Shenzhen gained the power to make local laws. In 1996, the Provisional Legislative Council of Hong Kong met in Shenzhen.
By 2001, more migrants stayed in Shenzhen. In May 2008, Shenzhen was approved to promote reforms.
On July 1, 2010, the “second line” border was dissolved. The Shenzhen SEZ expanded to include all districts. On August 26, 2010, plans were approved for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone. In April 2015, the Shekou Industrial Zone and the Qianhai Zone were integrated within the Guangdong Free-Trade Zone.
On August 18, 2019, Beijing unveiled reform plans for Shenzhen. Shenzhen became a pilot zone for socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Zhenlong Town stands as a testament to Shenzhen’s growth. It reminds us of the area’s transformation from a farming village to a global city.