Shenzhen speed, they called it. It was a phenomenal growth rate. But did you know that before Shenzhen became this metropolis, before the skyscrapers and the bustling markets, there was just a small border city?
We are standing near Yi Ngam Tau. It’s a place that likely looked quite different back then. In 1979, Shenzhen was a customs stop. It had only about 30,000 inhabitants. Then, in 1980, something changed everything. Shenzhen was declared a Special Economic Zone. This meant foreign investment was welcome. New technology and expertise flooded in.
Wages rose. The standard of living improved drastically. People flocked here seeking opportunity. Factories sprung up producing electronics, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. The surrounding agricultural areas boomed. They were producing poultry, livestock, and vegetables. The growth was so rapid it became known as Shenzhen speed. The success led China to convert other coastal cities. They too became special economic zones.
Shenzhen became an experiment. It was a place for economic reform and liberalization. Measures like the re-establishment of stock markets started here. Later they were adopted throughout China. Railways stretched from Shenzhen to Guangzhou, Beijing, and Fujian province. Expressways connected it to other coastal cities. A major international airport and large seaport container terminals were built.
Shenzhen even founded its own universities. Peking University and Tsinghua University established branch campuses here. The Ping An Finance Center rose. It became one of the world’s tallest buildings. Today, Shenzhen is a powerhouse. It is a testament to China’s economic transformation. It’s hard to imagine the tranquil fishing village it once was. But remember, as we stand here near Yi Ngam Tau, that even the most extraordinary journeys start with a single step.