As the only Chinese mainland city with sea, land and air ports, Shenzhen has become the world's fourth-largest shipping container port; China's fourth-largest tourist city; an important high-tech, logistics and financial center in Southeast Asia; the fastest-growing economy in China; and a pioneer of Chinese modernization. A large number of multinational companies have invested in Shenzhen which has more than 120 firms funded by Fortune 500 companies. Shenzhen has become the manufacturing base, purchasing center and service center for multinationals.

Shenzhen's advanced high-tech industries and export-oriented economy, and the numerous multinationals and foreign-related institutions mean the demand for talented people from around the world is strong. In 2006, the city introduced more than 70,000 overseas experts, while the all-time figure reached more than 340,000. The number of overseas Chinese students who returned home to settle down in Shenzhen has topped 1,000 each year for six consecutive years, and the all-time total has surpassed 10,000. Shenzhen successfully hosted the 2007 Conference on International Exchange of Professionals at the end of November 2007.

Aiming to build "an international city with Chinese characteristics and styles," Shenzhen has laid down sound foundations for becoming an international city in terms of economy, culture, science and technology, geography, and people's thinking. Neighboring Hong Kong and having China's busiest land checkpoint, Shenzhen once saw 65 percent of the country's cross-border passenger flow. The import and export volume of Shenzhen has topped Chinese cities for many years running. Geographic advantages are bringing profound cultural influences to Shenzhen. Through Hong Kong, the Hong Kong and Taiwan cultures and overseas cultures make their way to Shenzhen and then spread to inland cities. Also with the status as the "window" of China's opening-up drive, Shenzhen has in fact become the convergence of excellent cultures of China and the West. In tandem with surging economic growth, Shenzhen's cultural industry and undertakings have taken great stride forward. Shenzhen is implementing the strategy of becoming a "culture-based city." On one hand, the cultural industry has become a new economic growth engine, and the city's comprehensive strength is rising steadily. One the other hand, Shenzhen's open, pluralist and modern culture, and wide-ranging cooperation with Hong Kong are making Shenzhen not only influential in China but also abroad. Shenzhen and its people aspire to "let the world understand Shenzhen, and make Shenzhen a world city."