Shekou

Shekou, at the southern tip of Nanshan, was in some respects the template for Shenzhen’s Special Economic Zone.

In 1979, it was established as the Shekou Industrial Zone under the leadership of Yuan Geng, a war-hero-turned entrepreneur who famously coined the slogan “Time is money and efficiency is life.”

Embodying the Shenzhen spirit, Yuan Geng put in place unprecedented polices, such as recruitment based on merit and foreign direct investment.

He went on to found China Merchants Bank and later Ping An Insurance, two giants of Chinese commerce. Shekou in the 1980s served as a base for foreign oil workers, which led to the opening of international restaurants, schools and businesses in the area, establishing an expat vibe that can still be felt today.