PR100029

SHENZHEN, China, April 26, 2023 /Xinhua=KYODO JBN/--

As a city born with design genes, Shenzhen has witnessed a flourishing creative

and design industry since it became the laureate of UNESCO City of Design in

2008. In the past fifteen years, the megacity has evolved from the world's

factory to an upgrading manufacturing powerhouse and further to an

international hub of innovation and creativity. "Shenzhen Design" has not only

served as an important platform for the city's industrial transformation and

upgrading, but has also become a new growth engine for its high-quality

economic development.

After years of accumulation and development, "Shenzhen Design" has become an

important pioneering and leading game changer as an industrial leader in China

with global visibility.

"City of Design" promotes the city's visibility and reputation

With rapid urbanization and booming commercial activities, and with "design"

running in its blood, Shenzhen has seen its design industry emerge and develop

rapidly in the 1990s. The city took the lead in implementing the strategy of

building a city through cultural development, and proposed to build a "City of

Design" in 2003. It was awarded the title of "City of Design" by UNESCO in

2008, becoming the first city in China to win this honor.

In recent years, the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee and Shenzhen Municipal

People's Government have taken multiple measures such as policy support,

industry guidance, and resource matchmaking and spared no effort in supporting

the innovative development of "Shenzhen Design", delivering remarkable results.

At present, the city has 33,000 creative design service entities, over 30

listed design companies, and over 220,000 designers. Its cultural creativity

and design revenue exceeds RMB 1 trillion, with graphic design, industrial

design, and design in clothing, furniture and jewelry categories leading the

country.

Today, with the shinning reputation of the "City of Design", Shenzhen has

emerged as an important city for young designers and a design pioneer worldwide.

"Shenzhen Design" injects new momentum to boost the acceleration and upgrading

of the manufacturing industry

Shenzhen has always attached great importance to the innovation of industrial

design and vigorously promoted its high-quality development. In 2012, Shenzhen

rolled out the first local policy on industrial design in China. In the 11

years since then, it has seen the annual revenue of professional services in

industrial design jump by 12 times, which has a significant impact on improving

the quality and efficiency of the manufacturing industry.

Shenzhen has always provided a broad platform and development space for

innovative design talents around the world, further integrating its creative

design with emerging industries.

"Shenzhen Design" lights up the fashion industry to activate the vitality

engine.

Shenzhen has become one of the most developed cities in China's fashion

industry, with a total economic output ranking among the top. There are over

2,500 clothing enterprises in Shenzhen, of which more than 90% are independent

brands. They take up a market share of over 60% in first-tier shopping malls in

large and medium-sized cities across the country, with an annual total sales of

nearly RMB 270 billion, accounting for 10% of the national total.

Behind the impressive data lies the 40 years of rapid progress in Shenzhen's

fashion design industry. As one of the most representative high-end industries,

the fashion industry is not only closely related to the manufacturing and

service industries, but also requires heavy investment in research and

development as well as creativity to inject ultra-high added value into

products.

As an important platform to promote the city's image, leading fashion trends,

driving fashion consumption, and promoting industrial development, the recently

held Shenzhen Fashion Week bore the innovative feature and technological

advantages of the city. The Shenzhen Fashion Week has always emphasized the

combination of design and its industrial value. In recent years, trade shows

during Shenzhen Fashion Week are scaling up with increasing commercial

influence, effectively improving the consumer experience, activating potential

consumption, and highlighting the brilliant charm of Shenzhen fashion.

After over four decades of rapid development, Shenzhen has become a globally

renowned high-tech city. In key urban areas, Shenzhen has adhered to using

urban design methods to create distinctive features, carry forward its cultural

heritage, and create a unique city image.

Fifteen years of development is a fruitful achievement and a fresh starting

point for Shenzhen as a "City of Design". "Shenzhen Design" is always on the

road, moving forward ceaselessly into the future.

Source: Shenzhen Municipal People's Government