Having lived in Shenzhen for nearly two decades, Lalit Sharma, an Indian man, said that he has witnessed three versions of Shenzhen over the past years.
“The key words for ‘version one’ are factory and labor-intensive. The buildings were only seven to eight floors without elevators. Businesses were also dependent on outsiders,” said Sharma.
Sharma recalled that when he first visited a factory located near the current Henggang Metro station from Hong Kong on a business trip in 1997, everything was poor and a normal meal sold then near the factory area was only 1-2 yuan (US$o.15-0.29).
“Also, you needed a permit to enter the city’s border. Many people were stopped by police at the border because they didn’t have the permit so they had to take buses back to where they came from,” said Sharma.
In “version two,” buildings in the city went to 20 to 25 floors with elevators. The city picked up speed in development and was turned into a state of semi-automation while the city is now in full automation in “version three” where you see IT and innovative technologies, according to Sharma.
“Businesses are also independent so we see that many Shenzhen-based companies such as DJI and BYD are active on the global stage.”
Sharma attributed the city’s fast development over the past two decades to several factors including education, policies and valued experiences from other regions.
“In the past, the crime rate was high. Cases like stealing were frequently seen during the Chinese New Year. However, as more and more people started receiving education coupled with an effective control by the government, the crime rate has dropped,” said Sharma.
“The city also becomes livable now with more public spaces, parks and wider roads built across the city. The city’s move to turn all taxis and public buses electric is fabulous.”
Sharma was also impressed by Shenzhen’s urban renewal projects like the one recently conducted at the Baishizhou urban village in Nanshan District.
Sharma is now working for Flex, a foreign-funded company in the courier industry located in Nanshan District, as a director of product design and development department.
Over two decades have passed since his first visit to Shenzhen. Sharma has also successfully moved from junior worker to a senior, a manager, and currently as a director.
Sharma believes that the city’s fast development over the past years has kept inspiring him to keep learning and develop with the trends as well.
“Shenzhen for me is where the future is going to be. My heart is here. I want to live in the city in the next 10 to 15 years,” suggested Sharma.
Three lovely dogs, two of which are adopted, and one rabbit have become Sharma’s family members in Shenzhen.
Being asked for comments on the current policy issued by the city to require all pet dogs to be microchipped,
Sharma said that he is very supportive of the idea and appreciates the government’s efforts to protect dogs.
Sharma said he decided to come to Shenzhen because he felt more welcome here.
Sharma left Shenzhen before the Chinese New Year in early January and was stuck in his country after a vacation spent in Vietnam due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Only two days before the interview, Sharma had just finished a 14-day quarantine in Guangzhou and finally made it back to Shenzhen to be united with his dogs and rabbit.
“One thing I did after I returned to the city is drink a bottle of Corona beer. I want to finish all Corona,” said Sharma.
“Businesses are also independent so we see that many Shenzhen-based companies such as DJI and BYD are active on the global stage.”
Sharma attributed the city’s fast development over the past two decades to several factors including education, policies and valued experiences from other regions.
“In the past, the crime rate was high. Cases like stealing were frequently seen during the Chinese New Year.
However, as more and more people started receiving education coupled with an effective control by the government, the crime rate has dropped,” said Sharma.
“The city also becomes livable now with more public spaces, parks and wider roads built across the city. The city’s move to turn all taxis and public buses electric is fabulous.”
Sharma was also impressed by Shenzhen’s urban renewal projects like the one recently conducted at the Baishizhou urban village in Nanshan District.
Sharma is now working for Flex, a foreign-funded company in the courier industry located in Nanshan District, as a director of product design and development department.
Over two decades have passed since his first visit to Shenzhen. Sharma has also successfully moved from junior worker to a senior, a manager, and currently as a director.
Sharma believes that the city’s fast development over the past years has kept inspiring him to keep learning and develop with the trends as well.
“Shenzhen for me is where the future is going to be. My heart is here. I want to live in the city in the next 10 to 15 years,” suggested Sharma.
Three lovely dogs, two of which are adopted, and one rabbit have become Sharma’s family members in Shenzhen.
Being asked for comments on the current policy issued by the city to require all pet dogs to be microchipped,
Sharma said that he is very supportive of the idea and appreciates the government’s efforts to protect dogs.
Sharma said he decided to come to Shenzhen because he felt more welcome here.
Sharma left Shenzhen before the Chinese New Year in early January and was stuck in his country after a vacation spent in Vietnam due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Only two days before the interview, Sharma had just finished a 14-day quarantine in Guangzhou and finally made it back to Shenzhen to be united with his dogs and rabbit.
“One thing I did after I returned to the city is drink a bottle of Corona beer. I want to finish all Corona,” said Sharma.