Shenzhen expo will showcase 'smart city' building

As part of China's efforts to press ahead with "smart city" development and build itself into a technology-driven economy, the country will hold the fourth China Smart City International Expo in Shenzhen from Aug 21 to 23.

According to organizers, more than 400 enterprises and organizations related to smart cities are expected to attend the expo, which will be held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center. The exhibition area for this year's expo will cover 30,000 square meters.

The annual event will feature exhibitions, forums, signing ceremonies on project cooperation and other activities, with the aim of providing a platform for governments, enterprises and institutions from across the world to share their experiences in smart city building and carry out cooperation in the field.

An international forum on smart city development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will invite politicians and business leaders from the world's three other bay areas, who will discuss their experiences in the sector, providing insights for China's development.

Another forum on engineering management in smart city development will be held on the sidelines of the expo.

Shenzhen epitomizes the country's reform and opening-up efforts over the past 40 years and the city has led the country in smart city development, said Feng Kui, director of the academic committee of the China Center for Urban Development and one of the event organizers.

"We are going to hold the expo in Shenzhen because we want to showcase our country's achievements over 40 years of reform and opening-up, especially in smart city building," he said at the event's press conference on Tuesday.

"We hope to demonstrate Shenzhen's efforts, and the country's exploration and innovation in smart city development."

The event is co-organized by the China Center for Urban Development, the Shenzhen municipal government, Ping An Insurance and the Smart City Development Alliance.

It is the fourth year for the expo to be held. More than 500 exhibitors showcased their achievements in smart city development over the previous three years, with the cumulative visitor count reaching 300,000.