UK professor: SZ, a global community

Video by Martin Crozier

At 6 a.m. on a summer morning in Shenzhen Talent Park, the 74th Park Run began with a countdown spoken in multiple languages. Participants included expats from Germany, South Africa, South Korea, and China.

Among the runners was British teacher Martin Crozier, who is currently the head of mathematics at Harrow International School Shenzhen.

The five-minute documentary Shenzhen: Meet the Locals premiered across all Euronews platforms July 10. According to Ipsos, the film was seen by more than 23 million people worldwide and appeared on screens over 44 million times. 

The documentary portrays Shenzhen’s modern, convenient, and inclusive spirit through the eyes of Crozier. It captures the city’s work-life balance and conveys a powerful message: Shenzhen, a cosmopolitan beacon where languages, cultures, and dreams converge, is a place where people from different backgrounds can truly belong. 

“In 1980, Shenzhen was a fishing village too small to appear on maps. Today, it’s where my daughter rides her scooter safely at night,” Crozier said in Mandarin, with a Cantonese accent.

China’s rapid pace impressed Crozier, but Shenzhen surpasses even that. “They can shift an entire road four meters to the left overnight. Every time I return from vacation, there are new surprises. That’s just cool,” he said.

British teacher Martin Crozier is interviewed in Shenzhen: Meet the Locals, which premiered on Euronews on July 10.

The film goes beyond one teacher’s story — it is a snapshot of a city embracing the world.

Crozier, one of the founders of the Park Run running club, organizes group runs for both expat and Chinese residents of the city several times per month.

“As an expat, community is really important to me. My colleague and I decided to start Park Run two years ago. Shenzhen Talent Park is a fantastic place with beautiful scenery,” Crozier explained.

“What I really like is that it’s not just an expat crowd or local community — it’s a wonderful mix of both, a lovely group of people who share a common interest,” he added.

“Family life in Shenzhen, as an expat, is incredibly easy and we have a lot of freedom,” said Eleanor Crozier, Martin’s daughter. “We can go out at night and feel safe. It’s fun.”

A scene from Shenzhen: Meet the Locals shows Martin Crozier with fellow members of the Park Run running club.

Martin also highlighted the convenience of living in Shekou, where he resides with his family, citing easy access to international dining as one example. “There is a lot of authenticity about the restaurants in Shekou. And Tequila Coyotes, which is run by a Mexican guy, is a restaurant I go to often,” said Crozier.

That convenience extends beyond food — technology plays a key role in Shenzhen’s lifestyle, making everyday life easier, from the wide availability of power banks to drones delivering food.