African, Asian govt officials learn from Shenzhen's economic success

A total of 37 government officials and senior party members from 10 African and Asian countries are set to participate in a two-week training program in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, designed to impart lessons from the development success of China's renowned special economic zone.

Sponsored by China's Ministry of Commerce, the program aims to strengthen economic, technological and cultural ties with these nations, fostering a shared path to prosperity.

Participants will engage in lectures, field studies, research and cultural immersion activities until the end of the event on Sept 9.

"To provide all participants with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China's development, particularly the achievements and experiences of the Shenzhen SEZ, we have meticulously crafted a diverse range of training activities," said Fan Xiangdong, vice-president of the Association for Promoting International Economic and Technological Cooperation, the program's organizer.

The program will feature senior Chinese government officials and esteemed industry experts who will lead in-depth discussions on the achievements and developmental strategies of the Shenzhen SEZ, the drivers of high-quality development, and case studies of Shenzhen's economic growth miracle. These sessions aim to equip participants with a systematic understanding of Shenzhen's core developmental experiences.

Participants will also have the opportunity to visit leading companies and iconic sites throughout Shenzhen.

"It is a privilege not to be wasted. Everyone is thrilled to be in this city, which embodies dreams, modernization and economic development," said Philip Akunda Etale, director of Communications of the Orange Democratic Movement Party in Kenya.

"For the next 14 days, let us learn from Shenzhen's journey and progress. Together, we can envision how to enhance our home countries, making them better than they are today," he added, speaking as a representative of the trainees.

Shenzhen SEZ just marked its 45th anniversary on Tuesday.

According to Shenzhen's commerce bureau, the city's GDP reached 3.68 trillion yuan ($513.7 billion) in 2024, with 42.3 percent contributed by its strategic emerging industries.