The first stop for practice—Shenzhen
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Shenzhen's innovative spirit and entrepreneurial culture are not only the driving force for China's economic development, but also an important factor in attracting international talents and investment. |
——Vania Utami Gunawan |
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Shenzhen's urban construction is not only to meet basic living and working needs, but also to provide a livable and beautiful urban environment. |
——Ramsey Reyes |
From August 20th to 23rd, the youth delegation of the "Tsinghua International Youth Dialogue" convened in Shenzhen for the first stop of their practical engagement. As one of the most representative cities in China, Shenzhen fosters scientific and technological progress while accommodating international perspectives. To gain a deeper understanding of Shenzhen and China, the delegation undertook a three-day exploration in Shenzhen, covering multiple dimensions. These ranged from technological innovations and cultural traditions to historical processes and future initiatives.
Event schedule
August 20th:
- Icebreaker activities, interviews, and free time.
August 21st:
- Visits to Shenzhen Bay Entrepreneurship Plaza, China Merchants History Museum, Longhua City Living Room, and Meituan Big Data Operation Center.
August 22nd:
- Visit to Qianhai.
August 23rd:
- Visited the Data and Information Research Institute, Ocean Engineering Research Institute, and Future Habitat Research Institute of Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate
School. Activities also included traditional cultural exchanges featuring calligraphy and handicrafts.
Practice Review
Mutual Learning among Civilizations: Understanding Chinese Culture and Shenzhen History
At the China Merchants History Museum, the young representatives learned about the history of the China Merchants Group, a century-old state-owned enterprise. They closely observed the development of China Merchants and reviewed historical materials related to Shenzhen Shekou's reform and opening-up. The representatives gained a deep understanding of how China Merchants has embodied the "Belt and Road Initiative" and other major national strategic achievements throughout its storied history.
In the Longhua City Living Room, the young representatives learned about the history, development planning, and cultural heritage of the Longhua District in Shenzhen through informative videos. Simultaneously, they experienced firsthand the latest achievements of Longhua's cutting-edge industries. They explored the development of Shenzhen's advanced technology and deeply appreciated the impact of Longhua's digital empowerment.
In Shenzhen, the youth representatives immersed themselves in the art and allure of Chinese calligraphy. After learning about the history of Chinese calligraphy and the proper posture for holding the brush, the international participants tried their hand at writing. Through the formation of strokes, they experienced the depth of Chinese culture and the beauty of its calligraphic traditions. Additionally, the delegates explored Chinese tea culture by sampling a variety of tea drinks. They savored teas of different types and flavors, appreciating the aroma, color, and taste. They also observed professional tea art performances and acquired fundamental knowledge and etiquette related to tea brewing and tasting.
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Digital Economy: Experiencing Cutting-Edge Technology
At the Meituan Big Data Operation Center, the young representatives experienced firsthand Meituan's big data products and services, including convenient drone deliveries and autonomous delivery vehicles. They witnessed the power of smart technology innovation and engaged in heated discussions about the application of data-driven consumption models in medical care and other service sectors. This exploration highlighted the vast potential for applying these technologies in various fields.
Cutting-Edge Technology Exploration at Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate School
At Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate School, representatives visited several advanced technology laboratories. The tour began with the Intelligent Robot Laboratory and the Internet of Things and Socio-Physical Information Systems Laboratory of the Institute of Data and Information. Here, they learned about ongoing research in areas such as flexible robotic arms, leg-foot robots, reinforcement learning, and fault diagnosis, and observed demonstrations of student projects. Inspired by the mechanics of human walking, the laboratory introduced a novel concept: the foot sensor. This device is designed for terrain recognition and attitude estimation in legged robots, enabling them to sense and identify terrain effectively. The representatives engaged in in-depth discussions with researchers about the basic principles, algorithm design, and innovative applications of this technology. Additionally, both Chinese and international youth representatives visited the wind-wave dynamic coupling test pool at the Institute of Ocean Engineering, the Digital Architecture and Intelligent Construction Laboratory, and the Robotic Arm Laboratory at the Future Habitat Institute. They actively contributed ideas and marveled at the rapid technological advancements.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Experiencing the Power of Shenzhen
At the Shenzhen Bay Entrepreneurship Plaza, the delegates explored the development trajectory and spatial scale of the plaza, gaining firsthand insight into Shenzhen’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. They also embraced the Shenzhen ethos of "starting a business with the party." The visit included tours of several high-tech companies, where they experienced innovative lifestyles. For instance, visits to BYD and Pony.ai provided insights into the rapid advancement of smart cars in China, including firsthand experiences with the latest in autonomous driving technology.
Impressions of Shenzhen’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Vania, a classmate from Indonesia, was profoundly impacted by the vibrancy and potential of Shenzhen as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. After touring various innovative enterprises and incubators, she gained a deeper appreciation for how Shenzhen’s ecosystem fosters economic growth and boosts employment. She remarked that Shenzhen’s spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial culture are not only pivotal to China's economic development but also crucial in attracting international talent and investment.
Shenzhen’s strides in scientific and technological innovation are closely tied to the effective leadership of the party and government. To further decode innovation strategies, Chinese and international youth representatives visited Qianhai, Shenzhen. There, they engaged in detailed discussions with local government officials to explore the innovative development of Qianhai over the past 40 years and understand the government’s role in this progress.
Chinese and foreign youth representatives also visited the Qianhai Kerry Center and other notable buildings. Ramsey, an American who teaches opera and piano at the University of Pennsylvania, was deeply impressed by Shenzhen's urban development and believed that the city has made significant strides in urban planning and construction. Furthermore, Ramsey expressed his admiration for the rapid development and high efficiency of Shenzhen’s urban construction efforts. He believes that Shenzhen’s approach to urban development not only meets the basic needs for living and working but also creates a livable and aesthetically pleasing urban environment.
Practice summary
After their three-day visit to Shenzhen, overseas youth representatives shared that this experience deepened their understanding of Shenzhen and China, further sparking their curiosity about the country. Additionally, the rich array of exchange activities helped establish closer connections among Chinese and international young people. Both groups expressed that dialogue and exchanges among youth can foster international cooperation, accelerate sustainable development globally, and contribute to creating a better future.
From August 21st to 28th, the young representatives will continue their exploration by visiting various companies, research institutes, and exhibition halls in Shenzhen, Chengdu, Beijing, and other locations to gain a comprehensive understanding of Chinese society and culture. Next on the itinerary, the delegation will travel to Chengdu, Sichuan, for a two-day visit to Tianfu, so stay tuned.
