Shenzhen will continue to advance higher-level opening up and improve its internationalization, according to a press conference on high-quality development held by the city government Thursday.
The city, which is accelerating the construction of a modern international metropolis with global influence, will steadily promote institutional opening up in the areas of trade of goods and services, digital trade, and investment, said Cao Saixian, director general of Shenzhen Municipal Foreign Affairs Office.
Shenzhen will accelerate the introduction and establishment of international organizations and promote the establishment of the World Innovative Cities Cooperation Organization.
To acquire more overseas talent, Shenzhen will strive to establish professional qualification evaluation and appraisal institutions to provide standardized and "one-stop" service for prospective foreign talent. Efforts will be made to encourage more countries, especially those with close economic and trade ties with Shenzhen, to set up service institutions in Shenzhen to provide more convenient services for overseas talent.
At the same time, Shenzhen will strive to host major diplomatic and foreign affairs activities, strengthen international exchanges and cooperation with cities, institutions, and enterprises, and vigorously develop international tourism to create a world-class tourist destination, according to Cao.
Zhang Feimeng, head of the city's commerce bureau, said at the conference that the city will unveil more measures to further attract foreign investment, revise the criteria for identifying multinational corporation headquarters, and attract influential foreign-funded flagship projects.
Lu Wenpeng, vice secretary general of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPC, noted that a total of 8,002 new foreign-funded enterprises were established in Shenzhen last year, an increase of 86.6% year on year. These new enterprises accounted for more than 15% of the newly established foreign-funded enterprises nationwide.
The city received visits from eight heads of state and prime ministers last year.
The Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport has direct passenger flights to 31 international and regional cities. The airport has also resumed and newly opened 22 international and regional passenger flight routes, with a total of 59 cargo flight destinations, reaching a record high.
Shenzhen Port now operates 248 international shipping routes, connecting over 300 ports in more than 100 countries and regions worldwide.