Shenzhen announced the start of construction of the second batch of 20 international blocks at a ceremony in Bao’an District on Thursday.

The 20 international blocks are scattered in nine districts and Dapeng New District. Among them, Huaqiangbei, Pingshan and Meisha blocks, which were among the city’s first batch of international blocks, found their names in the second batch again.

Cao Saixian, director general of the Shenzhen Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, said in a speech at the ceremony that each international block of the second batch features unique characteristics and the building of international blocks requires continuous efforts from all walks of life, so as to form a replicable experience.

Expats attend a ceremony held in Bao’an District on Thursday to launch the construction of the second batch of Shenzhen’s international blocks. Photo by Wang Jingli

Representatives from Bao’an District’s Jiuwei block, one of the international blocks in the second batch, said at the ceremony that it will put efforts to integrate international elements, offer one-stop international services, organize international conferences and exchange activities, and attract international talents in the future.

Samuel Sadiq from Germany, who currently works for Shenzhen Technology University in Pingshan District, said in a speech at the ceremony that he has witnessed significant growth in the Pingshan international block, which underscores strong bonds and vibrant exchange of ideas.

Sadiq has participated in many volunteering activities in Pingshan.

“We organized great events to build a bond with the locals and the expat community. We made mooncakes together. Expats like me shared their most precious children’s books to give even the little ones better mutual understanding of our culture and we shared our international foods with the community too,” Sadiq said in his speech.

Sadiq believed that the essence of the ancient tale of “愚公移山” or “The Foolish Old Man Moves a Mountain” resonates deeply with Shenzhen and Pingshan, which once relied on agriculture, but is now a crucible of education and emerging industries.

Also at the ceremony, a total of 25 organizations and places including Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, BYD, Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation, Shenzhen Talent Park, Nantou Ancient Town and the Southern University of Science and Technology were named Shenzhen International Exchange and Cooperation Demonstration Sites.

Additionally, the website of the Inquiry System of Chinese-English Public Signs in Shenzhen, www.publicsigns.cn, was officially launched at the ceremony. Users can log onto the site to check official names of the city’s public venues and government departments. They are also welcome to help rectify incorrect translations of public signs by submitting related photos and suggestions.

Shenzhen unveiled the first batch of 20 international blocks this February.

According to a work plan, Shenzhen will form an international block network by 2025. By 2030, the international blocks will be the key components for the city’s construction of an international city and congregation of advanced international production forces, knowledge and technologies, and high-quality professionals.