Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

PROMINENT British academic Alan Macfarlane presented his new book, “The Shenzhen Mystery,” at a forum in the city Monday, offering an international perspective on the city’s meteoric rise from a humble fishing village to a global tech hub.

The event, part of the Shenzhen Reading Forum, was held at the Shenzhen Book City CBD Store. It featured Prof. Macfarlane, an anthropologist and fellow of  King’s College at the University of Cambridge and fellow of the British Academy, who recounted his long-standing connection with Shenzhen.

He said the transformation of Shenzhen has “deeply amazed” him and prompted his quest to understand the secrets behind its success. He emphasized that the city serves as a vital window for observing China, arguing that its reform and opening up “unleashed the potential of private enterprises, market economy, and individuals.”

To unravel the “Shenzhen Mystery,” Macfarlane applied a detective’s mindset — forming and testing hypotheses — inspired by his previous studies of the British Industrial Revolution and Japan’s modernization.

The event also highlighted a dialogue session. Hosted by Sun Jin, editor-in-chief of Shenzhen Daily, the session featured a discussion among Macfarlane, two other co-authors of the book, and two renowned architects who are interviewees in the book.

The book features in-depth interviews with six key figures from various sectors in Shenzhen. It aims to provide an internationally relevant, deeply researched resource for understanding China’s urbanization, modernization, and reform era through the lens of Shenzhen’s 45-year ascent.