Shenzhen's Special Economic Zone celebrates its 46th anniversary on the 26th, while Shanghai's Pudong New Area marks 36 years of development by 2026. These two reform landmarks have progressed from policy breakthroughs to deeper institutional opening, and from industry foundations to innovation-driven growth, collectively showcasing China's high-level opening-up and providing a broad platform for global enterprises to seize Chinese opportunities.
In Shenzhen, the Huaqiangbei electronics market attracts international buyers with AI glasses and drones, peaking at 8,000 overseas visitors daily. Meanwhile, in Pudong's Zhangjiang, multinational pharmaceutical R&D centers collaborate with Chinese scientists on new drug development, integrating Chinese innovation into the global R&D network. This openness defines both cities and exemplifies China's two-way integration with the world.
As the host of the upcoming 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, Shenzhen is preparing to welcome global guests with a one-stop service center at the airport covering payments, tourism, and immigration, alongside upgrades to over 40,000 foreign-language signage points across the city. Data underscores this openness: in the first half of this year, Shenzhen utilized over 32 billion yuan in foreign investment, up more than 50% year-on-year, with APEC member economies accounting for 93.6% of the total.
In Pudong, multinational pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim has announced plans to establish a new R&D center in Zhangjiang, aiming to integrate China's clinical strengths into global drug development. Its innovative pulmonary fibrosis drug, Vargatef, will begin local production in Zhangjiang from the third quarter, speeding up patient access. By 2030, the company expects nearly 20 drug approvals in China, reflecting its long-term commitment to the market.
Institutional innovation remains the core driver for both cities. In Shenzhen, the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone leads in institutional opening, implementing "Hong Kong law, Hong Kong arbitration" and allowing 27 categories of Hong Kong and Macao professionals to practice with simplified registration. The Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone hosts over 200 high-end research projects and nearly 500 tech firms, accelerating the formation of a "half-hour living circle" between the two cities.
Pudong continues to expand its institutional advantages, with over 95% of national strategic tasks, including leading-zone construction and comprehensive reform pilots, being implemented. A total of 170 successful practices have been replicated nationwide. This year, Pudong released a three-year action plan for high-quality service trade development, targeting over $140 billion in service trade and $70 billion in digital trade by 2028, aiming to become a hub linking China's services with the global market.
Openness fosters innovation, and innovation supports openness. Both Shenzhen and Pudong prioritize technology as a core driver, advancing in frontier industries to build new quality productive forces and inject fresh momentum into global industrial cooperation. As a national robotics hub, Shenzhen leverages its mature trade channels and international business environment to accelerate the global rollout of innovative products. At the 2026 World Robot Conference, 28 Shenzhen companies showcased a full supply chain, from core components to complete machines, attracting global buyers with their complete industrial support and cost-effective technology. Shenzhen's industrial and commercial service robots are now exported in bulk to Southeast Asia and Europe, deeply integrating into local manufacturing upgrades and service scenarios.
An open market environment also accelerates the concentration of global innovation resources. In the first half of this year, multinational companies like AMD and Korea's Future Group established R&D centers in Shenzhen. Pudong's robotics industry thrives in this two-way openness. Qinglang Intelligent, which started with restaurant delivery scenarios, has expanded globally, shipping over 100,000 units across its full product range. "Relying on the opening-up pilot zone closest to the world, we can deepen international links and accelerate the global market entry of Chinese exoskeleton technology," said Zhang Hua, marketing partner and director at Aosmart, a Pudong-based exoskeleton innovator that leverages regional international business and exhibition resources to quickly connect with overseas clients, with products now deployed in industrial and medical settings across multiple countries.
Both regions are making strides in physical AI and advanced manufacturing. Shenzhen's "new trio" of new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products are being exported extensively, with the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone rapidly forming a trillion-yuan automotive industry cluster. Pudong is accelerating its physical AI ecosystem, with ABB Robotics' super factory continuously launching industrial physical AI solutions. "China is not only the world's largest robotics market but also the frontier for physical AI deployment and ecosystem innovation," said Han Chen, Senior Vice President of ABB Group and President of ABB Robotics China.
From the special zone experiments on the South China Sea coast to the leading breakthroughs by the Huangpu River, China's commitment to opening up remains steadfast. The development of Shenzhen and Pudong is a vivid microcosm of China's progress and creates vast collaboration opportunities for global enterprises.