INNOVATION-DRIVEN
Shenzhen is committed to creating a whole-process innovation ecological chain of “basic research + technical research + achievement industrialization + technology finance + talent support” to form a market-oriented technological innovation system with enterprises as the main body and featuring deep integration of production, education and research. A large number of innovative companies have emerged, such as Huawei, BYD, Tencent and DJI among others.
10 Shenzhen firms made it to the 2025 Fortune Global 500 list.
Talent Aggregation: Shenzhen is committed to building a high-level specialized talent community in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It is the country’s first city to promulgate a regulation to designate November 1 as the Talent Day and has also established a talent honor and reward system.
Shenzhen’s R&D expenditure accounted for 6.46% of its GDP in 2024.
The number of PCT international patent applications ranks first in China.
Shenzhen is home to more than 25,000 State-level high-tech firms in 2024.
No less than 30%: The Shenzhen government’s funding on basic research and applied basic research should be no less than 30% of municipal science and technology research and development funds.
More than 90% of innovative firms are local companies.
More than 90% of R&D personnel are employed by firms.
More than 90% of employee invention patents come from firms.
More than 90% of R&D institutions are set up by firms.
More than 90% of R&D funds are contributed by firms.
More than 90% of major technological invention patents are owned by major firms.
Five initiatives
Foundational research strengthening initiative
Core technology breakthrough initiative
Commercialization acceleration of research results initiative
Integration of science, technology and finance initiative
Innovative talent convergence initiative
Five innovation capacities
Innovation leadership
Core innovation strength
Innovation driving force
Innovation enabling capacity
Fundamental innovation momentum
Five strategic hubs
Birthplace of original innovation
Origin of core technologies
Prime location for commercializing scientific achievements
Convergence zone for integration of science, technology and finance
Magnet for world-class sci-tech innovation talent
MODERN INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM
Shenzhen has accelerated the integration of the "four chains" of industry chain, innovation chain, talent chain and education chain, vigorously developed strategic emerging industries and future industries, and built a modern industrial system for the future.
42.3%
The added value of strategic emerging industries accounts for 42.3% of Shenzhen’s GDP in 2024.
“20+8”
On June 6, 2022, Shenzhen introduced a package of policies to promote industrial transformation and upgrading, proposing to develop 20 strategic emerging industrial clusters and 8 key future industries.
20 STRATEGIC EMERGING INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS
network and communication
semiconductor and integrated circuit
ultra-high-definition video display
intelligent terminal
intelligent sensor
software and information service
digital creativity
modern fashion
machine tool
intelligent robot
laser and additive manufacturing
precision instrument and equipment
new energy
safety, energy saving and environmental protection
intelligent networked vehicles
new materials
high-end medical equipment
biomedicine
big health
marine industry clusters
8 KEY FUTURE INDUSTRIES
synthetic biology
blockchain
cells and genes
aerospace technology
brain science and brain-like intelligence
deep earth and deep sea
visible light communication and optical computing
quantum information
DEEPENING REFORM AND OPENING UP IN AN ALL-ROUND WAY
Shenzhen has put forward great effort to make good use of the key moves of the pilot comprehensive reform, to promote the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening up, and to accelerate the formation of a new pattern of reform and opening up.
Comprehensive pilot reforms: the pilot project of a comprehensive reform for Shenzhen to build a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics was officially released and a list of 40 authorized measures was unveiled in 2020. On October 14, 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission issued a circular summarizing Shenzhen's reform experience into 44 specific items — categorized under 18 measures across 4 key areas — encouraging localities nationwide to adapt these practices according to local conditions.
GEM reform and pilot registration system: the growth enterprise market (GEM) reform and the pilot registration system were implemented on August 24, 2020.
Friendly relations: Shenzhen has established friendly relations with 95 provinces and cities in 59 countries (including 24 sister cities and 71 friendly exchange cities).
Investment promotion conference: The global investment promotion conference has been held in Shenzhen for six consecutive years. More than 400 projects worth over 900 billion yuan were inked at the conference in 2024.
High quality exhibitions: Shenzhen’s convention and exhibition industry has prospered. Large-scale and high-quality exhibitions such as the China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF), China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) and International Signs & LED Exhibition (ISLE) have been successfully held.
In 2021, Shenzhen's two typical cases of "expanding the scope of mutual recognition of qualifications in professional services with Hong Kong and Macao" and "creating a new plateau for the innovative development of cross-border medical and health services" were selected as the second batch of "Best Practice Cases" of the pilot program for comprehensively deepening innovative development of trade in services, and promoted nationwide.
BOOSTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF GBA
As an important engine of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Shenzhen seizes the major opportunities provided by GBA construction to enhance its interconnectivity with Hong Kong in terms of infrastructure as well as in policies and standards, thereby building a good rapport between its citizens and those of Hong Kong.
Comprehensive reform and opening up in Qianhai: in 2021, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the Plan for Comprehensively Deepening the Reform and Opening up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone. Various city departments have achieved system innovations in Qianhai, bringing the total number of innovative projects tested in the area to 882.
Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation: Relying on Qianhai, the Lok Ma Chau Loop area and other major strategic platforms, Shenzhen cooperates with Hong Kong in scientific and technological innovation, transportation infrastructure, finance, law, education, medical care and other fields to enhance the people’s well-being of the two cities and help Hong Kong better integrate into the overall national development.