Expats visiting Minzhi Intl. Block wowed

A group of expats who went on a field trip to Minzhi International Block in Longhua District today found the trip fun and rewarding, giving them firsthand observation and better understanding of the city. 

Invited by Hongshan International Service Center at Minzhi Subdistrict in Longhua, the expats living and working in the district gathered at the center this afternoon before setting foot in two other landmark sites in the district, namely the Longhua Urban Hall and the Talent Greenway. Organizers asked the participants to split into groups for a contest at the end of the trip, adding more fun and excitement.

At Hongshan International Service Center, participants were pleased to learn that the center, set up in November 2020, is tailor-made for overseas residents, providing them with "one-stop" services in English, as well as a 24-hour self-service zone.

At the Longhua Urban Hall, visitors marveled at the tech-enabled exhibition hall, which used creative ways to tell Longhua’s past and present development stories. While strolling through the hall, visitors used interactive screens to gather information and immerse themselves in the district’s smart city scenarios through a 3D movie, drones, robots and other high-tech devices made by Longhua companies. They also had fun playing with a so-called Metaverse parallel box, which allowed users to create hyper realistic and life-size parallel image of themselves in the box.

"It's not only all high-tech, but also built so fast, no wonder people say 'Shenzhen Speed,'" said one of the participants, Teodora Pesic, an art teacher from Serbia who also runs a food and beverage company with a few partners in Shenzhen.

Pesic knows many Chinese catchphrases about Shenzhen like “深圳速度” (Shenzhen Speed) and “来了就是深圳人” (You’re a Shenzhener once you come to Shenzhen.) She lauded the area’s government for having an international service center. "I really think it’s great to have this kind of center for foreigners who are interested in developing themselves so they can take more opportunities,” she said.

Sadulaeva Feruza from Uzbekistan said she was greatly impressed by the Longhua Urban Hall and thought such a visit was an eye-opener for her 9-year-old son David, who accompanied her. 

“I want to thank the organizers for holding such a great activity. It allowed expats living in Minzhi to learn more about the international block, feel the city’s charms and enhance their sense of belonging to Minzhi Internationa Block,” she added. “This helps us know more about China and its culture. We had a lot of fun.”

Minzhi International Block was one of the two designated international blocks in Longhua when Shenzhen unveiled its first batch of 20 international blocks in 2019. Shenzhen was the country’s first to release measures about building international blocks across the city in a bid to make the city more international.

On Sept. 28, the city announced that it aimed to have 38 international blocks by 2035. Longhua District, which was established in January 2017, is tasked to build two more international blocks by then. The district, which saw its gross domestic product grow by 10.2% to 282.85 billion yuan (US$41 billion) last year, ranks fifth among all the city’s districts in terms of economic prowess. It’s home to 752 digital companies, which realized a combined output of 466.8 billion yuan last year, representing a 26.7% increase from a year ago and a 16-percentage-point advantage over companies in traditional sectors.

Participants meet at the Hongshan International Service Center in Longhua’s Minzhi Subdistrict this afternoon. Photos by Liu Yang

Participants pose for a group photo in front of the Hongshan International Service Center this afternoon.

Participants are seen during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon. 

Participants pose for a group photo in the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon. 

Barry Bredenkamp from South Africa takes photos during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

A participant who identified himself as Ali poses for a photo with his life-size parallel image generated by a so-called metaverse parallel box in the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

Participants are seen during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon. 

Barry Bredenkamp poses for a photo with his life-size parallel image generated by a so-called metaverse parallel box in the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

Teodora Pesic poses for a photo with her life-size parallel image generated by a so-called metaverse parallel box in the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

Teodora Pesic (R) poses for a photo with Barry Bredenkamp’s life-size parallel image generated by a so-called metaverse parallel box in the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

Sadulaeva Feruza who prefers to be identified as Mia poses for a photo with her life-size parallel image generated by a so-called metaverse parallel box in the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

Participants take photos during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

Participants take photos of robots during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

Participants take an interest in drones during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

Barry Bredenkamp reacts during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

Participants watch a 3D movie about Longhua’s future smart city scenarios during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

A participant who identified himself as Samy uses an interactive screen during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

Participants are seen during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon. 

Participants watch a 3D movie about Longhua’s future smart city scenarios during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon.

Participants are seen during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon. 

Participants are seen during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon. 

Participants are seen during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon. 

Participants are seen during a visit to the Longhua Urban Hall this afternoon. 

Participants are seen during a visit to the Talent Greenway in Longhua this afternoon. 

A young participant who identified himself as David answers a question during a knowledge contest after a visit to the Minzhi International Block in Longhua District this afternoon.

A participant answers a question during a knowledge contest after a visit to the Minzhi International Block in Longhua District this afternoon.

Mia answers a question during a knowledge contest after a visit to the Minzhi International Block in Longhua District this afternoon.

Barry Bredenkamp reacts during a knowledge contest after a visit to the Minzhi International Block in Longhua District this afternoon.

A young participant who identified himself as David raise his hand for a chance to answer a question during a knowledge contest after a visit to the Minzhi International Block in Longhua District this afternoon.

A participant who identified himself as Samy reacts during a knowledge contest after a visit to the Minzhi International Block in Longhua District this afternoon.

Participants play a game during a visit to the Minzhi International Block in Longhua District this afternoon.

A participant who identified himself as Samy plays a game during a visit to the Minzhi International Block in Longhua District this afternoon.

Participants play a game during a visit to the Minzhi International Block in Longhua District this afternoon.