'Miracle' metropolis now a global magnet

Strong supply chains

Today, the extensive manufacturing ecosystem that helped establish Shenzhen's reputation is attracting a new generation of international entrepreneurs.

At Shenzhen InnoX Academy, Saudi Arabian entrepreneur Dalia Khoja has found opportunities to connect directly with engineers, designers and suppliers as she pursues product development involving artificial intelligence. "Here, you can just design it and then order it and you will receive it," she said, explaining that some products can be delivered within two to four days.

Meanwhile, some business leaders said that Xi's overarching vision to develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is helping businesses further develop their supply chains.

Wu Guan, founder and CEO of Y-H2O (Shenzhen) Technology Co, said the concentration of businesses across the Greater Bay Area brings together virtually every link in the industrial supply chain. For entrepreneurs, that means access not only to manufacturing capacity but also to people willing to share ideas, form teams and experiment with new technologies.

Wu noted that Shenzhen, or more broadly the Greater Bay Area, is home to a vast number of companies in the hardware sector.

"Together, the region brings together virtually the entire industrial chain. Personally, I think this kind of geographic and industrial advantage is something that remains unmatched anywhere in the world," Wu said.

Hector Emiliano Huidobro Falcon, a Mexican entrepreneur, described coming to Shenzhen as "maybe the best decision" of his life.

He said the concentration of engineers, technologies and entrepreneurial activities has transformed his understanding of how innovation and manufacturing can work together.

"Here I always feel inspired and want to move faster," he said. "You can connect with so many people, get the experience and knowledge from so many talents here, and learn from that."