Shenzhen book hails ideas that built city

Download

A symposium of foreign readers was held Wednesday for the new book Top 10 Concepts of Shenzhen, which gives a clear clue about the dramatic development of this young, booming city bordering Hong Kong over the past three decades.

This pilot region for China's reform and opening up has grown from a small fishing town to the country's fourth largest-economy by gross domestic product in 2011.

"Compared with ancient Chinese cities like Beijing and Xi'an, Shenzhen has a relatively short history, but it is definitely the best sample city to study the history of China's reform and opening-up," said Mary Ann O'Donnell, an American anthropologist living in Shenzhen.

Five foreign readers, including O'Donnell, were invited to the symposium, organized by the local government, to share their views and thoughts about the book and their unique experiences in the city.

According to the editorial board of the book, Top 10 Concepts of Shenzhen is a compilation of local history and lore, a diary of innovative thinking and daring endeavors and a must-read for anyone interested in the area's groundbreaking transformation into an international metropolis.

Filled with contributions from leading scholars, industrial giants, political leaders, media insiders, local historians and foreign experts, the book is a study of Shenzhen's people, their dreams and how they used those dreams to overcome enormous challenges, according to the editorial board.

International business consultant, economic strategist, author and China adviser Robert Lawrence Kuhn sums up the city's 10 fundamental concepts in his preface to the book:

"The message of Shenzhen is clear: Continuing reform is essential; emancipating the mind is an ongoing need, not just a historical aphorism; and risk-taking in governments and business, prudent to be sure, must put into practice the elements of reform."

O'Donnell, who moved to Shenzhen in 1995, said the 10 concepts embody the values and ideals that form the city's foundation and should be understood in the context of its historical background.

"People in Shenzhen can be proud of its gorgeous three decades but meanwhile should rethink whether these concepts are practical and meaningful to social development now and in the future," she said.

Carol Quinn, a Norwegian scholar, said the city should adhere to the spirit of the concept "dare to become the world's first," which she believes to be the most important of the 10.

The symposium is a part of Shenzhen's annual month-long activity that encourages all Shenzhen citizens to read books starting on Nov 1.

Chen Jinhai, director of the information office of the Shenzhen government, said the city can improve itself through the establishment of a city spirit, a mature sense of value and increased cultural strength.

Already designated as a "City of Design" by UNESCO, the city will bid for the title of "World Book Capital" in 2015, Chen said.

Questions:

1. What is the new book Top 10 Concepts of Shenzhen about?

2. Where is Shenzhen?

3. What title is the city hoping for in 2015?

Answers:

1. It explains the dramatic development of Shenzhen.

2. It borders Hong Kong.

3. World Book Capital.

（中國(guó)日?qǐng)?bào)網(wǎng)英語(yǔ)點(diǎn)津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.