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Politics & World • City

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a coastal city in southern Guangdong Province, China, immediately north of Hong Kong.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Shenzhen is a coastal city in southern Guangdong Province, China, immediately north of Hong Kong. Established in 1979 and designated China’s first special economic zone in 1980, it has grown into one of the country’s major technology, finance, and trade centres.

History

Shenzhen was established in March 1979 and was designated as China’s first special economic zone in August 1980. Its rapid development is closely associated with China’s reform and opening-up period.

Geography and administration

The city lies on the east bank of the Pearl River estuary in southern Guangdong, directly adjacent to Hong Kong. It is administered as a prefecture-level city with nine districts plus one new district.

Economy

Shenzhen is a major centre for technology, finance, trade, logistics, and manufacturing. It is also known for its role in China’s innovation-driven economic growth and is a key urban centre in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Population

Shenzhen has experienced very rapid population growth over recent decades. Official data put its permanent resident population at 17.98 million at the end of 2024.

Key facts

  • Shenzhen is located in southern Guangdong Province on the Pearl River estuary and borders Hong Kong to the south.
  • It was established in March 1979 and became China’s first special economic zone in August 1980.
  • The city had 17.98 million permanent residents by the end of 2024.
  • Shenzhen is administered as a prefecture-level city and has nine districts plus one new district.
  • It is widely known for technology, innovation, finance, trade, and manufacturing.
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Canadian context

Shenzhen is relevant to Canadian readers through global trade, technology supply chains, investment, and China-related business and travel interests. Canadian companies and consumers encounter Shenzhen-based manufacturing, electronics, logistics, and fintech ecosystems.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Shenzhen located?
Shenzhen is in southern Guangdong Province, China, on the east bank of the Pearl River estuary, immediately north of Hong Kong.
Why is Shenzhen important?
Shenzhen is important as China’s first special economic zone and as a major centre for technology, finance, trade, logistics, and manufacturing.
When was Shenzhen established?
Shenzhen was established in March 1979.
When did Shenzhen become a special economic zone?
It was designated as China’s first special economic zone in August 1980.
What is Shenzhen’s population?
Official data from the Shenzhen government give the city’s permanent resident population as 17.98 million at the end of 2024.

References

  1. Shenzhen Government Online — https://www.sz.gov.cn/en_szgov/aboutsz/profile/content/post_12542766.html
    Supports: Establishment date, special economic zone designation, location, and 2024 permanent population
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhen
    Supports: 2020 population and general city profile
  3. TravelChinaGuide — https://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/guangdong/shenzhen/fast-facts.htm
    Supports: Area, administrative divisions, location, and basic facts
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Shenzhen
    Supports: General geographic description and proximity to Hong Kong