THE top 10 news events involving Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas in 2010 were announced Thursday. The list, selected by the Information Office of the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Shenzhen Daily, is now in its ninth year. It aims to review events that help reshape the city as an international metropolis.

    Shenzhen saw an active international exchange in 2010, playing host to a series of international events. Speedier cooperation was also achieved between Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao.

    1New leadership aims to build world city

    The 5th CPC Shenzhen Municipal Congress elected the 13 members of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPC at the closing ceremony May 25.

    Wang Rong, the then acting mayor, was elected city Party chief. Xu Qin, the then executive vice mayor, and Wang Suiming, the then head of the Organization Department of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, were elected deputy chiefs of the committee.

    The new leadership pledged to accelerate efforts to turn Shenzhen into an international developed city.

    230th anniversary in the

    international spotlight

    A gathering was held in Shenzhen on Sept. 6 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. Guangzhou-based consul generals of 16 countries as well as representatives of local expats attended the gathering. The celebrations attracted overseas media attention.

    3UNESCO

    creative conference

    The UNESCO Creative Cities Network held its annual conference in Shenzhen between Dec. 6 and 9, drawing 23 network cities from 17 countries around the world. It was the first time the network cities had met in Asia. The conference ended with the release of a communique.

    4One-year countdown

    to Universiade

    Around 30,000 residents attended a spectacular gala Aug. 12 to celebrate the one-year countdown to the 2011 Universiade.

    Colorful and changeable in shape, the 2011 Universiade torch was unveiled at the gala.

    5Qianhai plan approved

    On Aug. 26, the State Council approved a preliminary plan to transform Shenzhen’s Qianhai area into a modern model service industry zone. The zone is expected to be a driving force to advance cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in the service industry.

    6Buffett, Gates

    visit Shenzhen

    Warren Buffett and Bill Gates visited Shenzhen on Sept. 28, to inspect Shenzhen carmaker BYD.

    Buffett holds 10 percent of Hong Kong-listed BYD stock. The Shenzhen visit was the first leg of the tycoons’ China tour to promote philanthropy.

    7SZ hosts intl. events

    Shenzhen has seen the rise of its international profile by playing host to a series of international events: the 12th China Hi-Tech Fair, the sixth China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair, the 21st World Cancer Congress, the 25th World Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition, the 4th China Cup International Regatta, 2010 UIM F1 Powerboat World Championships of China and the 2010 Conference on International Exchange of Professionals.

    8Foreign trade

    hits record high

    Shenzhen’s total foreign trade volume in the 11 months to November achieved a record high of US$308.28 billion, surpassing the total foreign trade volume of 2008.

    Shenzhen’s container throughput in 2010 was expected to exceed 20 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), according to an international ocean transportation conference in Shenzhen on Oct. 19.

    9Overseas exchange

    speeds up

    Shenzhen opened its first overseas professional liaison office in Los Angles on Sept. 12, stepping up efforts to attract overseas professionals. Shenzhen Party chief, Wang Rong, attended the opening ceremony.

    Individual visits to Hong Kong were initiated Dec. 15 for Shenzhen residents who do not have Guangdong hukou. About 4 million people in Shenzhen would qualify under the revised rule.

    Expats Chinese talent competition

    The first Shenzhen Expats Chinese Talent Competition was held at the Shenzhen Westin Hotel in November, attracting more than 300 expats from over 30 countries and regions.

    The competition was hosted by the Organizing Committee of the Shenzhen Speaks Foreign Languages Campaign and the Information Office of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, and organized by the Shenzhen Daily.

    (Li Hao)