KOLs from different countries visit Shenzhen

Sixteen key opinion leaders (KOLs) from 14 countries embarked on a two-day visit to Shenzhen on Thursday as part of the 2023 Future Close-Up program.

Launched by the China International Communications Group (CICG), the program aims to showcase China’s achievements in its thriving technological industries to international influencers.

The social media influencers, comprising entrepreneurs, scholars and journalists, represent countries including China, the U.S., the U.K., Brazil, South Africa, Rwanda, Germany, Vietnam and Russia. They have been invited to share their stories and experiences both online and offline during their visit.

Photos by Liu Xudong

Their first stop in Shenzhen was Tencent, a prominent technology conglomerate and a major player in China’s digital economy.

At the welcoming ceremony, Zhang Jun, general manager of Tencent’s marketing and public relations department, said that the number of internet users in China has exceeded 1 billion, and many internet companies with high global visibility as well as several world-renowned apps have emerged. “It can be said that the digital economy has been deeply integrated into people’s social networks, work, and daily lives,” Zhang said.

The KOLs were provided with presentations by Tencent, which acquainted them with the company’s diverse tech products that have significant relevance to people’s everyday lives.

Armin Popp from Germany, managing partner at CASSANDRA, a leading investment and business research company for decision-makers, expressed his high regard for the program.

“I think something like this [program], where people come together as a group and talk about technologies and how they might impact certain industries, and about certain developments for human beings, is of high value,” Popp said. “I think what’s happening in China and its technologies stands as a role model in many areas for most of the world.”

Brett Lyndall Singh, director of the African Financial Group, viewed the opportunity to visit Shenzhen as amazing, drawing parallels between the city and his hometown. He highlighted a South African company’s investment in Tencent in 2001, considering it an excellent model of China-Africa cooperation.

“I honestly believe in Shenzhen’s digital economy [development]. I know it is one of Shenzhen’s key milestones. The city is one of the epitomes of China’s reform and opening up,” he added.

Singh had lived in China for over 12 years and was once listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30.

KOLs and Tencent employees pose for a photo inside a meeting room at Tencent Binhai Mansion in Nanshan District on Thursday. 

“Shenzhen has been an amazing promoter of future technologies. There have been amazing reports on its wonderful technologies such as AI in digital infrastructure, as well as what Tencent is doing — building an amazing communication and media empire here,” Singh said.

Jibran Ali Khan from Pakistan, CEO of JAK Education and Innovation Consultancy and Media Brick, told Shenzhen Daily that he was astonished by China’s achievements in the digital economy.

“I’m astounded by the advancements that China has had, especially in Shenzhen. I was aware that China is advanced, but I’m now in Shenzhen experiencing it by myself,” Khan said. “I think we should really get some more understanding of China’s development, and take it back home and try to tell my people about the good benefits of the digital economy and how it can really benefit our country as well.”

Following their visit to Tencent, the KOLs are scheduled to visit Honor, a leading global provider of smart devices, and Ping An, one of China’s largest integrated financial groups, in Shenzhen on Friday.

Their itinerary will then take them to Beijing, where they will spend four days engaging in various activities and a forum aimed at deepening their understanding of China’s technological progress.