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Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, home to major tech companies and drone manufacturers, has become the third region within a Chinese city to surpass CNY1 trillion (approximately USD143.9 billion) in gross domestic product.
The district’s economy is estimated to have grown around 6% last year, reaching over CNY1 trillion, according to Li Xiaoning, the district government head, during a recent meeting of the local legislative body. Its GDP per square kilometer is projected to hit CNY5.4 billion (about USD777 million), with a per capita GDP of CNY540,000 (roughly USD77,705), both ranking among the highest in the country.
Other districts with a GDP exceeding CNY1 trillion include Pudong New Area in Shanghai and Haidian in Beijing. When Nanshan was established in 1990, its GDP was only CNY7.8 billion, and it first crossed the CNY100 billion mark in 2005.
Experts have highlighted Nanshan’s rapid growth as a model of innovative regional development, suggesting its success could influence broader urban economic strategies across China.
Despite covering only 185 square kilometers—about one-tenth of Shenzhen’s total—Nanshan contributes roughly a quarter of the city’s GDP, a third of its patents, and 40% of its listed companies.
The district’s booming economy is largely driven by substantial investment in research and development as well as a concentration of innovative businesses. Key firms include robot manufacturer Ubtech Robotics, telecom equipment giant ZTE, and consumer electronics leader Skyworth Group. Huawei Technologies also maintains its R&D headquarters in the area.
By the end of last year, Nanshan had more than 637,000 registered business entities, including over 6,000 high-tech companies, 36 Manufacturing Single Champion enterprises, 394 specialized and innovative “Little Giant” firms, and 28 unicorn startups. More than 218 companies are publicly listed within the district.
Investments in R&D are notably high, with the district’s R&D intensity—defined as R&D spending as a percentage of GDP—reaching 7.9%, which is 2.9 times higher than the national average. The number of invention patents per 10,000 residents stands at 860, over 22 times the national average, with a total of approximately 25,000 international patents filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, accounting for 7.1% of China’s total.
Transforming geographical strength into institutional advantages has been crucial for Nanshan’s development. The district has pioneered efforts to integrate with Hong Kong, including a special legal and dispute resolution mechanism for Hong Kong-funded companies, allowing them to choose Hong Kong law and arbitration in their contracts.
Furthermore, through the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, Nanshan is actively exploring cross-border data flows, investment and financing cooperation, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications with Hong Kong.
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