In 2006 Houston celebrated the 20th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China. Shenzhen is a rapidly growing city located in the River Peal Delta of Guangdong Province near Hong Kong. The one-time fishing village of Shenzhen is the first of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) of China. The village’s population exploded from 20,000 in the 1970’s to 12 million today in the Greater Shenzhen area.
Shenzhen is a home to many high-tech industries and factories that produce electronics, light industrial products, textiles, garments, construction materials, machinery and chemicals. It is a major export production base for China, with over half of its products being produced for export. Additionally, one of China’s two stock exchanges is located in Shenzhen.
In 2009, total trade between China and Houston was valued at more than $10 billion. 358 Houston-based companies operate subsidiaries in China, while Chinese firms operate 11 subsidiaries in the Houston metropolitan area.
Fast Facts:
Population: 12 million
Country: People’s Republic of China
Continent: Asia
Latitude & Longitude: 22.55N, 114.10 E
GMT Time Difference: +7 hours
Time Difference from Houston: + 13 Hours
Distance from Houston: 8330 mi/ 13400 km
Climate: Subtropical
Language: Mandarin
Governmental Structure: Citizens elect representatives corresponding to the Local People’s Congress at the town and village level, who in turn elect officials for city and district offices. Many officials are appointed as well.
Current Mayor: The Honorable Xu Zongheng, Mayor of Shenzhen
Other Sister Cities: Brisbane, Australia; Gwangyang, South Korea; Nuremberg, Germany; Poznan, Poland; Tsukuba, Japan
Additional Information:
City of Shenzhen Website
Shenzhen Tourism
Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Houston