Editor’s Note:
As we reflect on 2024, Shenzhen remains committed to advancing high-level opening up, actively integrating into the new development pattern, and attracting foreign investment. The “2024 in Review” special series highlights the city’s progress across various fields.
Shenzhen Daily和EyeShenzhen各平台正同步推出系列全媒体策划“回望2024”，回顾深圳在过去一年各领域取得的创新发展成就。
List of key reform items
重点改革事项清单
On Sept. 20, 2024, the 9th Plenary Session of the 7th Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held. The session focused on thoroughly studying and implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches and that of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.
Shenzhen released guidelines on implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and a list of over 500 key reform items, as well as six innovative major work mechanisms to ensure the implementation of reforms.
2024年9月20日，中共深圳市委七届九次全会胜利召开，会议全面系统深入学习贯彻习近平总书记重要讲话和党的二十届三中全会精神。深圳出台贯彻落实党的二十届三中全会精神实施意见和500余项重点改革事项清单，创新六大工作机制抓好改革落实。
The 9th Plenary Session of the 7th Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, which was held Sept. 20, 2024. Photo by He Long
Pilot comprehensive reform measures
综合改革试点典型经验
On Dec. 31, 2024, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) released a notice on promoting and drawing on the innovative measures and typical experiences of the pilot comprehensive reform measures of Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, Shenzhen, and Xiamen. Eight typical experiences from Shenzhen were promoted nationwide.
For the third consecutive year, following 2022 and 2023, the NDRC has highlighted Shenzhen’s innovative measures and exemplary practices. This has elevated the tally of the city’s pioneering comprehensive reform initiatives, which are being advocated across the nation, to a total of 48.
2024年12月31日，国家发展改革委公布《关于推广借鉴上海浦东新区、深圳、厦门综合改革试点创新举措和典型经验的通知》，向全国推广深圳8条典型经验。这是国家发展改革委继2022年发文推广深圳18条创新举措、2023年发文推广深圳22条典型经验后，再次发文推广深圳改革做法，3年累计推广深圳综合改革试点经验48条。
The “Qianhai Plan”
《前海方案》《前海规划》加速落地
Shenzhen has unveiled a targeted promotion plan and a three-year action plan for the implementation of the “Overall Development Plan for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone.” Over 90% of the tasks outlined in the “Plan for Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Opening Up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone” were successfully carried out.
出台实施《前海深港现代服务业合作区总体发展规划》专项推进方案和三年行动计划，《全面深化前海深港现代服务业合作区改革开放方案》超九成任务落地见效。
An aerial view of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone. File photo
A preferential 15% corporate income tax policy has been expanded to encompass the entire Qianhai cooperation zone, and Hong Kong residents working within Qianhai are now exempt from personal income taxes that exceed their Hong Kong tax liability.
获批将15%企业所得税优惠政策扩展至前海合作区全域，对在前海工作的香港居民，其个人所得税税负超过香港税负的部分予以免征。
In a provincial first, a joint venture office between Chinese and foreign law firms was established, bringing the total number of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao joint venture law firms and foreign law firm representative offices to 11 and five, respectively. The Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration accepted cases from 142 countries and regions.
设立全省首家中外律师事务所联营办公室，累计落地11家粤港澳联营律师事务所、5家外国律师事务所代表机构，深圳国际仲裁院受理案件覆盖142个国家和地区。
The Qianhai Hong Kong-Macao e-Services Station has provided 368 cross-border government services to investors from Hong Kong and Macao. Shenzhen is advancing the strategy to enhance free trade zones, achieving improvements in domains such as investment convenience, trade freedom, and post-border reforms. Qianhai has contributed an additional 14 institutional innovations that can be replicated and promoted nationwide, bringing the cumulative total to 102.
“前海港澳e站通”为港澳投资者累计提供跨境政务服务368项。实施自贸区提升战略，在投资便利、贸易自由、“边境后”改革等领域实现“八个提升”。前海新增全国复制推广制度创新成果14项、累计102项。
Cross-border flow of innovative elements
创新要素跨境流动
Shenzhen has thoroughly implemented the State Council’s “Development Plan for the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone,” established the Hetao Development Authority, and issued the legal framework for the Shenzhen Park.
The city has enacted “Double 15%” preferential tax policies for both corporate income tax and personal income tax for eligible entities, launched over 200 high-end scientific research projects, and attracted a total of 16 esteemed domestic and international academicians and experts, as well as 15,000 exceptional scientific research professionals.
深入落实国务院《河套深港科技创新合作区深圳园区发展规划》，成立河套发展署，出台河套深圳园区法定图则，全面实施符合条件的企业所得税和个人所得税“双15%”优惠政策，落地高端科研项目超200个，累计吸引16名海内外院士专家和1.5万名优秀科研人才。
An aerial view of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. Photo from the Hetao Development Authority
Shenzhen has also assumed provincial-level management responsibilities for the entry and exit of Hong Kong-registered vehicles from research institutions via the “No.1 Channel” in the Hetao Shenzhen Park. This initiative allows researchers to commute across borders with ease, either by driving their own cars or utilizing cross-border buses.
Additionally, the city has implemented 10 customs clearance facilitation measures, including centralized declaration of scientific research goods, to enhance the efficient flow of research materials across borders.
承接科研机构港牌小汽车经“一号通道”入出河套深圳园区的省级管理事权，科研人员可自驾小汽车或乘坐跨境巴士便利跨境通勤。实行科研货物集中申报等10项便利通关服务措施，促进科研物资高效跨境流动。
Shenzhen has signed the first Hetao cross-border dual-currency early-stage fund of funds. A pilot cross-border investment and financing facilitation program has been successfully replicated and expanded across 16 regions nationwide.
The Hong Kong SAR Government has issued the “Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone,” thereby completing the strategic jigsaw puzzle of the “one zone, two parks” development plan for the Hetao cooperation zone and realizing strategic synergy between the regions.
签约首只河套跨境双币早期母基金，“科汇通”试点在全国16个地区复制推广。香港特区政府发布《河套深港科技创新合作区香港园区发展纲要》，河套合作区“一区两园”发展规划完成整体性拼图，实现战略协同。
R&D investment
全社会研发投入
In 2024, Shenzhen’s total R&D investment soared to 223.661 billion yuan (US$30.5 billion), which constituted 6.46% of the city’s GDP. Notably, corporate R&D investment dominated this figure, accounting for a staggering 93.3% of the total. Shenzhen secured the top spot among Chinese cities in terms of R&D investment.
2024年，全社会研发投入2236.61亿元，占地区生产总值比重达6.46%，其中企业研发投入占比93.3%、总量居全国城市首位。
The launch ceremony of the HarmonyOS Next in Shenzhen on Oct. 22, 2024. Photos by Xinhua unless otherwise stated
Shenzhen has enhanced the management framework for developing innovation platforms. The Pengcheng Laboratory has achieved significant milestones in the realm of integrated computing power networks. The national third-generation semiconductor comprehensive platform pilot line in Shenzhen has been successfully completed and is now operational.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area National Technology Innovation Center has been strategically positioned in Hetao. Additionally, the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation and the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory have made strides towards integrated development.
完善创新平台建设管理机制，鹏城实验室在一体化算力网方面取得标志性成果，国家第三代半导体深圳综合平台中试线建成启用，粤港澳大湾区国家技术创新中心布局河套，深圳医学科学院与深圳湾实验室初步实现一体化融合发展。
The Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology received approval to begin student enrollment, and the establishment of the Shenzhen Ocean University has been approved. The city’s higher education institutions have expanded their global footprint by adding 16 disciplines that rank within the top 1% of the Essential Science Indicators list and four disciplines that are within the top 0.1% worldwide. The talent pool in Shenzhen surpassed 6.98 million individuals, including over 26,000 high-level professionals.
深圳理工大学获批招生，深圳海洋大学（筹）获批设立，全市高校新增ESI全球前1%学科16个、前1‰学科4个。各类人才总量超698万人、高层次人才超2.6万人。
Industrial output
规上工业总产值、工业增加值“双第一”
New energy vehicle (NEV) production in Shenzhen is poised to surpass 2.8 million units in 2024, with BYD becoming the world’s first automaker to reach the landmark production of 10 million NEVs.
新能源汽车产量预计超280万辆，比亚迪成为全球首个达成第1000万辆新能源车下线的车企。
A Denza D9, BYD’s 10-millionth new energy vehicle, is rolled out in the company’s production base in Xiaomo Township, Shenzhen, on Nov. 18. Photo by Zou Yuan
The city’s total output value of industrial enterprises above the designated size is projected to exceed 5 trillion yuan, while the total industrial added value is anticipated to surpass 1.2 trillion yuan. Shenzhen is expected to maintain its “double first” status among national cities for three years running. The added value of strategic emerging industries is expected to constitute nearly 45% of the city’s GDP.
预计规模以上工业总产值突破5万亿元、全部工业增加值突破1.2万亿元，有望连续3年保持全国城市“双第一”，战略性新兴产业增加值占地区生产总值比重接近45%。
Shenzhen has added 29 national-level manufacturing champion enterprises and 296 national-level “little giant” enterprises, securing the top position among cities across China.
新增国家级制造业单项冠军企业29家、国家专精特新“小巨人”企业296家，均居全国城市首位。
Total imports and exports
进出口总额
From January through November, Shenzhen’s total import and export volume in foreign trade surged to a record-breaking 4.1 trillion yuan, marking a monumental milestone. Notably, the city’s total export volume is poised to maintain its leading position among mainland cities for an impressive 32nd consecutive year.
2024年1-11月，外贸进出口总额首次迈上4万亿元台阶、达到4.1万亿元，实现历史性突破，其中，出口总额有望连续32年居内地城市首位。
An aerial view of Shekou Port.
The Qianhai Mercantile Exchange reported an annual transaction volume of 104.71 billion yuan, with the RMB cross-border settlement amount reaching 50.81 billion yuan — a remarkable year-on-year increase of 150.2%. This achievement placed the exchange at the forefront among comparable platforms, ranking first in its category.
前海联合交易中心全年交易额1047.1亿元，其中人民币跨境结算金额508.1亿元、同比增长150.2%，居同类平台首位。
AI empowerment
AI赋能
Shenzhen has introduced a suite of policy documents and measures aimed at establishing itself as a pioneering city in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The city is implementing the “AI+” action plan and supported nearly 200 “city+AI” scenarios, fostering the application of AI across diverse industries and in household settings.
出台打造人工智能先锋城市若干措施等政策文件，实施“人工智能+”行动，滚动发布近200个“城市+AI”场景，促进人工智能赋能千行百业、走进千家万户。
A UBTECH employee tests the Shenzhen company’s Walker X robot June 26, 2024.
Shenzhen has completed the nation’s first incremental pre-training of a large model in the judicial trial vertical field. The city is at the forefront of developing and applying an AI-assisted trial system, which optimizes the work mechanism for trial supervision and management. This innovation has led to a significant reduction in the average closing time of civil and commercial cases by 38 days, a development that has garnered full recognition from the Supreme People’s Court.
完成全国首个司法审判垂直领域大模型增量预训练，率先研发应用人工智能辅助审判系统，配套健全审判监督管理等工作机制，民商事案件平均结案时间缩短38天，相关做法获最高人民法院充分肯定。
Intl. hospital accreditation standards
国际医院评审认证标准
The International Hospital Quality Accreditation Standards, compiled by the Shenzhen Hospital Accreditation Research Center, received high scores in an authoritative certification by the International Society for Quality in Health Care External Evaluation Association and became the first internationally certified hospital accreditation standards in China.
At present, the standards have been supported by four internationally renowned commercial insurers, and have been evaluated in more than 30 hospitals, including those in Beijing and other places. The first batch of four hospitals, including Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Hong Kong, have obtained accreditation.
探索编制全国首个国际医院评审认证标准体系，高分通过国际医疗质量协会认证。目前，此标准获得4家国际知名商业保险公司认可支持，已在北京等地30多家医院开展评审，香港东区尤德夫人那打素医院等首批4家医院获得认证。
The first batch of four hospitals, including Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Hong Kong, have obtained the International Hospital Quality accreditation. Photo from Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission
Entry and exit
出入境
Shenzhen has adopted a 240-hour visa-free policy for overseas travelers at 11 of its checkpoints. The Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint has introduced a card-free express border inspection channel for a smoother border experience. The airport has implemented convenient measures such as exempting 24-hour direct transit passengers from border inspection procedures. Additionally, the Wenjindu Checkpoint has piloted a departure tax refund scheme.
全市11个口岸实行外国人240小时过境免签政策，实现陆路、铁路、航空、海港全覆盖。“一签多行”恢复实施，深圳湾口岸启用“免出示证件”通道实现“刷脸通关”，机场实施24小时直接过境旅客免办边检手续等便利措施，文锦渡口岸试行“离境退税”。
An officer helps a passenger use the newly introduced card-free express border inspection channel at the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint in November 2024. Photo from Shenzhen Economic Daily
The number of entry-exit individuals at Shenzhen checkpoints, as well as the number of foreign entry-exit individuals, has reached 240 million and 5.4 million, respectively, both setting new records since the full resumption of customs operations. Moreover, the passenger throughput at the Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport has reached an all-time high of 61.476 million.
全年深圳口岸出入境人员2.4亿人次、出入境外国人540万人次，均创全面复关以来新高，深圳机场旅客吞吐量首次突破6000万人次、达6147.6万人次。
Shenzhen has established a payment demonstration zone dedicated to offering seamless and convenient payment experiences for consumers worldwide. In the first 11 months of 2024, non-cash payment transactions conducted by overseas individuals in Shenzhen totaled 17.87 billion yuan, marking a substantial year-on-year increase of 78%. Projections indicate that by the end of the year, the total value of these transactions will surpass 20 billion yuan.
优化“户、卡、码、币、包”境外人员便利化支付体系，围绕“食、住、行、游、购、娱、医、学”等不断丰富应用场景，打造全域支付示范区，为全球消费者提供便捷的支付体验。2024年1-11月，境外人员在深非现金支付交易178.7亿元，同比增长78%，预计全年达到200亿元。
Regional coordinated development
区域协同发展
On June 30, 2024, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link officially opened to the public, cutting the travel time between Shenzhen and Zhongshan to a mere 30 minutes. Since opening, the link has operated at full capacity, with the total number of trips surpassing 15 million. It has emerged as a “new artery” facilitating the in-depth integration and growth of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
2024年6月30日，深中通道建成通车，深圳至中山车程缩短为30分钟，通车即满负荷运转，累计车流量突破1500万车次，成为粤港澳大湾区深度融合发展“新动脉”。
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is seen in the distance. Photos by Xinhua unless otherwise stated
Basic education
基础教育
Shenzhen has been steadfast in expanding its inclusive preschool education resources, resulting in a significant increase in the proportion of children attending inclusive kindergartens to 92.3%. Compulsory education schools have implemented a “one PE class a day” policy and have widely introduced AI courses. Additionally, 100 schools have initiated a pilot “half-day plan per week” program, which allows students to step out of the classroom to read and explore.
持续扩大普惠性学前教育资源，普惠园在园幼儿占比提高至92.3%。义务教育阶段学校全面实施“每天一节体育课”、普及人工智能课程，100所学校启动“每周半天计划”试点。
Students do rope skipping during their PE class at the Affiliated High School of Shenzhen University on Dec. 23, 2024.
Throughout 2024, the city added 180,000 new seats in basic education, bringing the total number of school seats added since 2020 to 824,000, which placed Shenzhen at the forefront of Chinese cities in terms of educational expansion.
全年新增基础教育学位18万个，自2020年以来，累计新增基础教育学位82.4万个，增量居全国城市首位。
Medical services
医疗服务
The city has seen an increase in the number of top-tier hospitals and national key clinical specialties, with totals reaching 33 and 29, respectively. The “15-minute community health circle” network has continued to enhance its services, with 86.1% of hypertension patients and 76.6% of diabetes patients now seeking care at community health facilities.
The city has further solidified the rare disease medication guarantee mechanism through the integration of “basic medical insurance, major illness insurance, and Shenzhen Huimin insurance” while also advancing the pilot reform of medical service pricing.
三甲医院、国家临床重点专科分别增至33家、29个，“15分钟社康圈”网点不断健全，86.1%的高血压患者、76.6%的糖尿病患者在社康机构就诊。深化“基本医保+大病保险+深圳惠民保”罕见病用药保障机制，推进医疗服务价格改革试点。
A staffer responds to a patient at a medical insurance service station in a Longgang hospital. Photo by Cheng Wenli
Additionally, six new medical institutions have joined the “Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect” initiative, increasing the total to 10. The scope of approved medicines and medical devices has expanded to 59, and a pilot program for direct cross-boundary ambulance transfers between Guangdong and Hong Kong has been initiated.
新增“港澳药械通”医疗机构6家、总数达10家，获批药械拓展至59种，试行粤港救护车跨境直通计划。
Business environment
营商环境
Shenzhen has made it possible for overseas investors to easily complete business registration online. The city has also piloted relaxed market access in sectors such as value-added telecommunications and foreign-funded hospitals.
境外投资者实现足不出户、网上一窗通办商事登记，在增值电信、外资医院等方面试点放宽市场准入。
In 2024, Shenzhen saw the establishment of 562,000 new business entities, bringing the total number of registered business entities to 4.4 million. The city remained in first place among Chinese cities in terms of business registration.
全年新登记经营主体56.2万户，登记在册经营主体达440.4万户，保持全国城市首位。
The 2024 Shenzhen Global Investment Promotion Conference. Photo by He Long
Grassroots governance
基层治理
Shenzhen has pioneered innovative approaches to Party building, guiding the development of modern and vibrant communities across nearly 5,000 residential areas in the city. Shenzhen has carried out service reforms led by Party building to address the needs of the people. It has launched eight application scenarios for large models, which cut the average processing time for addressing requests by 15% compared to the previous year.
在全市近5000个小区创新开展党建引领现代活力小区建设。深入实施党建引领民生诉求综合服务改革，建立健全业务制度规范，上线智能分类分拨、智能受理助手等8个大模型应用场景，诉求平均办理时长同比压减15%。
Read more “2024 in Review” stories:
2024 in Review ① | Shenzhen's opening up 回望2024·深圳开放大事
