A LIST of 2011’s top overseas-related news stories in Shenzhen has been selected by Shenzhen Daily. The list aims to review and showcase the achievements of the city in building an international metropolis.

1. Universiade makes a difference

From Aug. 12 to 23, Shenzhen hosted the largest Universiade ever with 10,603 participants from 151 countries and regions, 24 sports and 306 gold medals.

Huang Guoqiang, vice secretary general of the Shenzhen Universiade Organizing Committee, said the city had met the challenge by offering all athletes excellent conditions of a “friendship-oriented” competition, in which there were no accidents, no complaints about food and venues, and no doping.

2. Qianhai regulation approved

The Qianhai Cooperative Ordinance, referred to as the “Basic Law” for the 15-km region that will be transformed into a world-class service industry zone by 2020, was approved June 27 by the Shenzhen legislature.

Businesses registered in Qianhai in Nanshan District engaged in offshore outsourcing, modern logistics and advanced technology would be eligible for tax exemptions or reductions.

3. Expats awarded honorary citizens

Fourteen expatriates from Japan, the United States, South Korea, Germany, France, Russia and Australia were among 48 people who were awarded honorary citizenships Nov. 22. Eight Taiwanese and 26 Hong Kongers, including Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, the former President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, were awarded. Pascal Sero, vice President of Asian R&D center of Oracle, and Kenneth Eugene Behring, the founder of Wheelchair Foundation, were also awarded.

4. Roadmap for a world city

The city government issued a plan May 11 outlining efforts aimed at transforming Shenzhen into a world city on a par with Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul by 2020, and comparable to New York City, London and Tokyo by 2050.

5. Binhai Hospital begins trials

Binhai Hospital in Nanshan District, which will be run by the University of Hong Kong, started trial operation and equipment adjustment Dec. 28. Construction of the main building had been finished and 90 percent of interior decorations had been completed, according to the city health commission. It will be officially opened in the second half of next year.

6. More ties for ASEAN, SZ

Shenzhen and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries were set to accelerate cooperation, a conference on Shenzhen-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation was told March 4.

Wu Yihuan, vice mayor of Shenzhen, said ASEAN was “Shenzhen’s third-largest trade partner, and the closest emerging market to Shenzhen, and the most stable importer of Shenzhen products.”

7. Knowledge enlightens City of Design

In a tight-scheduled visit to Shenzhen for the opening ceremony of Shenzhen Universiade and World University Presidents Forum, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova squeezed in time to learn about the city’s cultural development by visiting cultural facilities. Bokova also encouraged Shenzhen to apply for the UNESCO title of City of Libraries.

8. Fairs promote city

Shenzhen has seen the rise of its international profile by hosting a series of annual international events: the Seventh China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) from May 13 to 16, the 13th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) from Nov. 16 to 21 and the 10th Conference on International Exchange of Professionals (CIEP) from Nov. 4 to 5.

9. 1st public intl. school opens

Shenzhen’s first government-funded international school opened Sept. 28.

Located in Nanshan District, the international school is part of Shenzhen Foreign Languages School. With 147 employees, the school will provide 1,080 places in 54 classes, covering kindergarten, primary and high school. The school will mainly enroll children of expats who live locally, as well as residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan working in Shenzhen.

10. Hefa becomes sister city

Shenzhen and Hefa, Israel, became sister cities and seven strategic cooperation contracts worth more than US$100 million were signed between Shenzhen and Israel at a sub-fair of the China Hi-Tech Fair in Tel Aviv on Sept. 7.

The sub-fair attracted more than 100 high-tech enterprises and venture capital firms in Shenzhen and Israel. The signed projects cover digital technology, 3G in-vehicle communication network, and computer games.

    9. 1st public intl. school opens

    Shenzhen’s first government-funded international school opened Sept. 28.

    Located in Nanshan District, the international school is part of Shenzhen Foreign Languages School. With 147 employees, the school will provide 1,080 places in 54 classes, covering kindergarten, primary and high school. The school will mainly enroll children of expats who live locally, as well as residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan working in Shenzhen.

    10. Hefa becomes sister city

    Shenzhen and Hefa, Israel, became sister cities and seven strategic cooperation contracts worth more than US$100 million were signed between Shenzhen and Israel at a sub-fair of the China Hi-Tech Fair in Tel Aviv on Sept. 7.

    The sub-fair attracted more than 100 high-tech enterprises and venture capital firms in Shenzhen and Israel. The signed projects cover digital technology, 3G in-vehicle communication network, and computer games.

    1. Universiade makes a difference

    From Aug. 12 to 23, Shenzhen hosted the largest Universiade ever with 10,603 participants from 151 countries and regions, 24 sports and 306 gold medals.

    Huang Guoqiang, vice secretary general of the Shenzhen Universiade Organizing Committee, said the city had met the challenge by offering all athletes excellent conditions of a “friendship-oriented” competition, in which there were no accidents, no complaints about food and venues, and no doping.

    2. Qianhai regulation approved

    The Qianhai Cooperative Ordinance, referred to as the “Basic Law” for the 15-km region that will be transformed into a world-class service industry zone by 2020, was approved June 27 by the Shenzhen legislature.

    Businesses registered in Qianhai in Nanshan District engaged in offshore outsourcing, modern logistics and advanced technology would be eligible for tax exemptions or reductions.

    3. Expats awarded honorary citizens

    Fourteen expatriates from Japan, the United States, South Korea, Germany, France, Russia and Australia were among 48 people who were awarded honorary citizenships Nov. 22. Eight Taiwanese and 26 Hong Kongers, including Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, the former President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, were awarded. Pascal Sero, vice President of Asian R&D center of Oracle, and Kenneth Eugene Behring, the founder of Wheelchair Foundation, were also awarded.

    A LIST of 2011’s top overseas-related news stories in Shenzhen has been selected by Shenzhen Daily. The list aims to review and showcase the achievements of the city in building an international metropolis.

    4. Roadmap for a world city

    The city government issued a plan May 11 outlining efforts aimed at transforming Shenzhen into a world city on a par with Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul by 2020, and comparable to New York City, London and Tokyo by 2050.

    5. Binhai Hospital begins trials

    Binhai Hospital in Nanshan District, which will be run by the University of Hong Kong, started trial operation and equipment adjustment Dec. 28. Construction of the main building had been finished and 90 percent of interior decorations had been completed, according to the city health commission. It will be officially opened in the second half of next year.

    6. More ties for ASEAN, SZ

    Shenzhen and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries were set to accelerate cooperation, a conference on Shenzhen-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation was told March 4.

    Wu Yihuan, vice mayor of Shenzhen, said ASEAN was “Shenzhen’s third-largest trade partner, and the closest emerging market to Shenzhen, and the most stable importer of Shenzhen products.”

    7. Knowledge enlightens City of Design

    In a tight-scheduled visit to Shenzhen for the opening ceremony of Shenzhen Universiade and World University Presidents Forum, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova squeezed in time to learn about the city’s cultural development by visiting cultural facilities. Bokova also encouraged Shenzhen to apply for the UNESCO title of City of Libraries.