Shenzhen

City and special economic zone on the coast of Guangdong province, south China, established in 1980 opposite Hong Kong; population of the city (1999 est) 899,100. A poor rural area in 1979, with a population of 20,000, it grew spectacularly with the relocation of toy, textiles, and electronics factories from Hong Kong. Diverse light industries have subsequently been introduced, particularly the manufacture of chemicals and electrical goods. It is also an international financial centre, housing one of China's two stock exchanges. The zone is fenced off, and immigration strictly controlled.

Many of the workforce have temporary residence permits to prevent them settling permanently. Port facilities specific to the zone have been constructed at Yantian, a natural deepwater harbour. Shanzhen was intended to be an experiment for economic reform in China.