SZ launches talent recruitment drive to build itself into global inno hub

Shenzhen, one of China’s leading tech hubs, is intensifying its efforts to attract global talent. From April 13 to 14, the city will host the “Million Talents Meet in South Guangdong” 2025 N-City Spring Recruitment Event at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai.

The event will feature an impressive lineup of more than 60 listed companies, including industry giants Huawei, Tencent, and BYD, as well as 87 State-owned enterprises such as China Resources, China Merchants Group, China General Nuclear Power, and CNOOC. In addition, over 340 institutions, including the National Supercomputing Center in Shenzhen and Pengcheng Laboratory, will participate in the recruitment fair.

The theme of this recruitment effort, “Shenzhen deeply cherishes talent and is waiting for you,” reflects the city’s long-standing commitment to attracting top talent from around the world. Shenzhen’s proactive and open talent policies aim to create an ecosystem that fosters innovation and offers opportunities for growth.

By strengthening its talent base, Shenzhen continues to position itself as a global leader in technological innovation. The city’s thriving tech scene provides fertile ground for individuals to pursue their ambitions and contribute to shaping a future full of possibilities.

City of innovation with powerful pull for dreamers

Recently, the Shenzhen visit by popular U.S. influencer “IShowSpeed,” known for his viral creative content, has gone viral worldwide. From dancing with electric vehicles and riding in water-capable cars to trying out foldable phones, drone deliveries, and interacting with robots, “IShowSpeed” couldn’t help but repeatedly exclaim “OMG” and declare, “Shenzhen is truly the city of technology!”

The popular American influencer IShowSpeed (R) visits Shenzhen on April 5. Photo by Marina

With nicknames like “The First City of Technology” and “China’s Silicon Valley,” Shenzhen’s reputation as a tech powerhouse is undeniable. The city itself serves as a hub for new productivity and innovation, continually evolving into a perfect ecosystem that supports and fosters collaboration and efficiency.

At the heart of this thriving innovation scene are Shenzhen’s dynamic enterprises. Over 90% of its innovative companies are local, with more than 90% of R&D institutions, personnel, and funding concentrated within these enterprises. The vast majority of patented inventions, including major technological breakthroughs, come from these companies. Giants like Huawei, DJI, BYD, and Mindray have grown into global leaders. By 2024, Shenzhen had over 25,000 national high-tech enterprises — 12 per square kilometer, the highest density in China. The city also boasted the highest national increases in specialized small and medium-sized “hidden champions” and manufacturing sector leaders, with over 1,000 companies recognized.

Fostering this innovation ecosystem means creating an environment where different innovative entities coexist, depend on each other, and thrive together.

Humanoid service robots are exhibited at the show room of UBTECH. Known for its cutting-edge AI and robotics innovations, UBTECH is a leading player in China’s rapidly growing tech sector. Xinhua

To significantly boost its innovation capacity, enhance high-quality tech offerings, and accelerate the commercialization of scientific achievements, Shenzhen has invested heavily in developing various innovation platforms, infrastructures, and facilities. The city now hosts the Pengcheng National Laboratory, 14 national key labs, 4 provincial labs, and the National Third-Generation Semiconductor Technology Innovation Center. Over 4,000 innovation carriers exist across the city. Furthermore, with more than 62 exaflops of intelligent computing power established or under construction, Shenzhen is rapidly building a sustainable, collaborative, and accessible computing power supply system.

Shenzhen’s vibrant innovation ecosystem is not just a city label; it has become a powerful magnet, drawing talent and dreamers from all corners of the world to chase innovation.

Dream destination for innovators

In 2018, Tan Zhangxi, founder of RiVAI Technology, returned to China with a dream: “To take control of chip technology ourselves.” Today, at the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub, Tan and his team are immersed in developing the next generation of RISC-V (fifth-generation Reduced Instruction Set Computing) chips, and their pursuit of this dream continues without pause.

Shenzhen supports dreamers and entrepreneurs at every stage. In key areas, the city offers incubators like the “1-Yuan Innovation Hub” and “Zero-Rent Accelerator” to help young startups. The city is home to 48 innovation parks, which have incubated over 3,000 businesses, and 12 bases for Hong Kong and Macao youth entrepreneurship, with more than 2,000 projects in progress. The local government has established Angel and Talent Innovation & Entrepreneurship Funds totaling 30 billion yuan, and has invested in 926 projects. Programs like the Kunpeng Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Cooperation Plan and events such as the Shenzhen Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition, “Create Youth,”  and the “Challenge Cup” are all designed to encourage young people to innovate and build. For returnee overseas students, Shenzhen offers up to 1 million yuan in startup subsidies, plus grants, rent support, and up to 5 million yuan in guarantee loans.

As a result, Shenzhen has ranked first for two consecutive years in China’s “Talent Attractiveness Rankings for Post-95s” and remains a top destination for university graduates seeking employment. Each year, over 400,000 new grads from universities inside and outside of Shenzhen arrive, adding to a total talent pool of nearly 7 million.

In Shenzhen, the “City of Dreams,” it’s not just young people chasing and realizing their dreams. Xue Qikun, President of Southern University of Science and Technology, received China’s highest scientific honor; Mao Junfa, President of Shenzhen University, led a team that won the National Science and Technology Progress Award (First Class); Gao Wen, Director of Pengcheng Laboratory, won the Wu Wenjun Artificial Intelligence Achievement Award, China’s highest recognition in AI; and 920 scholars from Shenzhen made the global list of top 2% scientists.

As a young, immigrant city, Shenzhen thrives on innovation and embraces failure as part of the journey, full of limitless opportunities. Shenzhen believes everyone can shine and everyone can carve out their own path. Yang Jun, Director of ShenSi Laboratory, said, “I chose Shenzhen to chase my dreams not only because it’s an industry hub and full of energy, but because it’s the most inclusive city. Here, no one laughs at a person with dreams, and no one ridicules your dreams.”

City nurturing talent to thrive

In recent years, Shenzhen has introduced a series of programs aimed at supporting recent graduates and young professionals from across the country. The “Shenmeng” (Shenzhen Dream) series includes initiatives such as the “Youth Station,”“Shenmeng Starting Point,” and “Shenmeng Set Sail,” all designed to provide housing and other support for newcomers, helping them meet their short-term and transitional living needs. These programs reflect Shenzhen’s commitment to ensuring that young talent can settle in and focus on their careers without worrying about housing.

One of the city’s latest moves was to extend the free accommodation period for recent arrivals from 7 days to 15 days, giving young professionals more time to get settled. This extension sends a clear message that Shenzhen is invested in the success of its youth, offering them a supportive, welcoming environment as they begin their new chapter in the city.

But Shenzhen’s efforts don’t stop there. In addition to offering free accommodation, the city provides housing subsidies for talent in key industries and has developed high-quality international talent communities in areas focused on innovation and industry. By the end of 2024, Shenzhen aims to have allocated more than 180,000 affordable housing units for various categories of talent, with nearly 40,000 of those going to families of skilled workers.

For many, like Chen Bing’an, CEO of Naso Tech, these initiatives have made a real difference. “I returned to Shenzhen five years ago to start my business. Over the years, I’ve personally experienced how the city supports talent in every way, from entrepreneurship to healthcare and even children’s education,” Chen said.

A view of Shenzhen Talent Park, which is the nation’s first-ever municipal park dedicated to talent. Sun Yuchen

Shenzhen’s talent-friendly policies are clearly having an impact. The city is home to the Shenzhen Talent Park, the nation’s first-ever municipal park dedicated to talent. The park’s slogan, “We Love Talent, Shenzhen Awaits You,” reflects the city’s deep commitment to attracting and retaining skilled individuals. In addition to housing and financial support, Shenzhen hosts the annual Global Innovation Talent Forum and has created international talent districts that foster a dynamic, welcoming environment for both living and working.