A delegation of 10 editors, journalists, and presenters from various media organizations in Türkiye started their three-day visit to Shenzhen on Wednesday after visiting Beijing to gain insight into China's rapid development.
The first stop on the delegation's itinerary was the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning in Futian District, where they learned about the city's development history. They also viewed an exhibition highlighting Guangdong's development over the past 40 years since reform and opening up began.
"I like this city a lot! Shenzhen has been constructed in a short period but developed well," said Bestenigar Kara, an associate editor of the Daily Economy (Nasıl Bir Ekonomi), a Turkish media outlet.
This was Kara's first visit to China and Shenzhen, but she wasn't surprised by the city's modern feel since China is the second-largest economy in the world and Shenzhen has the third-highest GDP of any Chinese city.
During a visit Thursday to LAiPIC, a Shenzhen-based startup focused on animation and AI-generated avatars, delegation members expressed great interest in the company's AI technologies. The company demonstrated its ability to instantly generate a digital avatar wearing various costumes after uploading a photo. Each member received an AI-generated image of themselves in traditional Chinese attire.
Ahmet Can Şit, a presenter from NTV who covers technology, follows various tech firms in Shenzhen, particularly startups. "Shenzhen is one of the most innovative cities globally and generates new technologies that benefit the world," he said.
Kara also mentioned that Shenzhen is one of the world's leading tech hubs. Speaking about the global reach of Shenzhen companies and their relationship with her country, Kara stated, "Huawei has a subsidiary in Türkiye, and BYD will invest US$1 billion in Türkiye's automotive industry."
She also noted the potential for further technological collaboration between Türkiye and Shenzhen, suggesting that Türkiye could serve as a gateway for Chinese companies looking to penetrate European markets due to its geographic location.
Through tours of the Huaqiangbei electronics market, OH Bay, and the Shenzhen Talent Park, the delegation was able to mingle with tech enthusiasts and enjoy the city's natural beauty.