Shenzhen's high-quality electronics, clothing, and gold jewelry are drawing waves of foreign tourists, eager to shop during their visits to the southern Chinese metropolis.
With China expanding its entry policies to include more countries, a growing number of foreign travelers are flocking to the country for tourism and shopping. Since the start of the year, passenger flows at entry ports in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, have consistently remained high.
In the first five months of this year, the Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport handled 2.56 million passenger trips on international and regional routes, marking a 33 percent year on year increase.
Tourists praised their enjoyable shopping experiences and excellent service in Shenzhen, calling it a key gateway for international visitors to discover China.
"I very like the city. It's a modern city with good food, with good shopping, with good service. I can buy a lot of things in Shenzhen. It's very convenient," said Denis, a Russian tourist.
"I bought lots of clothes, and stuffed animals, and souvenirs for my children. I bought snacks to take home, and [they are] very affordable. This is my first time visiting Shenzhen, and I can't wait to come back," said Danielle, an American tourist.
Additionally, streamlined departure tax refund measures have also sparked strong enthusiasm among foreign travelers for shopping in Shenzhen.
Shenzhen's locally made electronic products and affordable, high-quality gold jewelry are top picks for foreign visitors. Renowned as China's tech hub, the city is also home to the country's largest gold jewelry manufacturing and trading hub, the Shuibei Market.
At the Shuibei Market, numerous foreign visitors, including business buyers, have selected their favorite gold ornaments.
"Normally, rings and bracelets, gold. Some for gifts and some for business to sell in the U.S. Well, this city is the best city in China, you know, because [of] the high-tech and also electronics, and of course jewelry," said Levy, an American businessman.
Meanwhile, locally-made electronic products, including mobile phones and drones, have also become increasingly popular among foreign visitors.
"Basically, they come to the store with a strong intent to buy, and the conversion rate reaches around 70 percent," said Zhang Dou, a saleclerk of a DJI store.
As of May 19, Shenzhen Border Inspection Station reported over 100 million inbound and outbound passengers this year - achieving the milestone 24 days earlier than in 2024.
Foreign tourists enjoy exceptional shopping experiences in Shenzhen
Foreign tourists enjoy exceptional shopping experiences in Shenzhen
The Chinese Embassy in South Africa on Monday held an event in Pretoria, the country's administrative capital, to celebrate the launch of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries.
Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng said that over the past seven decades, under the joint guidance of leaders from both sides, China-Africa people-to-people and cultural exchanges have continued to expand, yielding fruitful outcomes.
Noting that the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, Wu said China and Africa need to uphold fairness and justice, strengthen solidarity and mutual assistance, and enhance exchanges and cooperation more than ever before.
Taking the launch of the China-Africa Year of People-to-people Exchanges as an opportunity, Wu called for upholding the original aspiration of friendship, solidifying the foundation of cooperation, enhancing two-way efforts, and accelerating the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, South Africa's deputy minister of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, said South Africa and China enjoy strong and historic bonds of friendship as close international cooperation partners in the political, economic, social, technical and multilateral domains.
"The significance of people-to-people is really about how we elevate the people's life to a just and equitable stance that we want to see. We want a better Africa; we want a better world. And that for us is significant," said Letsike.
"Through people-to-people exchanges, we promote mutual understanding, and that is the basis of building mutual trust, building peaceful coexistence. People-to-people exchange is a very important instrument for peace and mutual understanding," said Bongani Maimele, director of international relations with South Africa's National School of Government.
The opening ceremony of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges was held at the African Union headquarters on Jan 8. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the two sides will jointly host nearly 600 cultural and people-to-people exchange activities in 2026 to enhance exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations, and promote mutual understanding and connection between the peoples.
Organizing the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges is an important consensus reached by leaders from both sides at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit in 2024.
Chinese Embassy in South Africa unveils 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges
