It feels almost like stepping into a futuristic world described in a novel or comic book.
That was the thought that crossed the writer’s mind while visiting Shenzhen and Guangzhou, two major cities in southern China’s Guangdong province, where technology has become the heartbeat of everyday life.
In both cities, humanoid robots are no longer merely prototypes confined to research laboratories but have become part of the workforce, while artificial intelligence (AI) powers a range of systems seamlessly integrated into modern life.
On the roads, despite the heavy traffic, the sound of engines is barely audible as electric vehicles (EVs) are widely used, from private cars and motorcycles to public transport. This is hardly surprising, as Shenzhen and Guangzhou are among the world’s leading cities in EV production and adoption.
More strikingly, however, this technological advancement does not come amid the congestion or pollution often associated with metropolises inhabited by tens of millions of people. Instead, Shenzhen and Guangzhou present a calm, orderly and green face.
The air feels far fresher than expected in cities that are major industrial centres, while the surroundings remain clean against a backdrop of towering skyscrapers with futuristic architecture.
GUANGZHOU: FROM ANCIENT PORT TO GLOBAL SMART HUB
Long known as one of China’s most important trading ports, Guangzhou, a city with more than 2,200 years of history, was once a meeting point for traders from West Asia, Europe and Southeast Asia.
Today, however, Guangzhou’s identity is no longer defined solely by its trading heritage. The city is undergoing a major transformation into a hub for technology, smart logistics and high-tech manufacturing.
The convergence of history and modernity becomes evident upon the writer’s arrival at Canton Tower, Guangzhou’s iconic modern landmark. Standing 600 metres tall, the tower features a futuristic ‘Slim Waist’ twisted design, showcasing advanced technology and symbolising the city’s urban renewal and transformation into a modern metropolis.
Located in the city centre along the Pearl River, the tower also serves as a symbolic reminder of Guangzhou’s history as a port and trading centre along the Maritime Silk Road, reflecting the city’s dynamic evolution from an era of traditional trade into a modern economic powerhouse.
The tower is also surrounded by major arts and cultural institutions, including the Guangzhou Opera House, Guangzhou Library, No. 2 Children’s Palace and Guangdong Museum, which together form a striking metropolitan skyline.
In essence, this rapidly developing city has succeeded in preserving its heritage while balancing high-tech development and trade hubs as complementary elements of its growth.
The impact of this transformation becomes even more apparent when the writer boards Guangzhou Metro Line 18, one of China’s fastest railway lines, capable of reaching speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour.
The journey to the next destination, Hengli Station, takes only about 20 minutes from Modiesha Station, covering a distance of approximately 50 kilometres. By conventional metro or other forms of public transport, including route transfers, the journey would take about one hour to one hour and 15 minutes, while travelling by road or car would take approximately 50 minutes.
At Hengli Station, the writer has the opportunity to see first-hand the metro transport hub connecting Guangzhou with the economic zone of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
However, the most striking experience comes upon arriving at Nansha Port Phase IV, a fully automated container terminal serving the GBA and one of the region’s most important maritime logistics and trade hubs.
The GBA, comprising Hong Kong, Macao and nine cities in Guangdong, covers approximately 56,000 square kilometres, forming an economic, trade and innovation ecosystem that is among the key drivers of China’s growth.
All container terminals at Nansha have also earned a four-star ‘China Green Port’ rating, reflecting the port’s commitment to becoming a world-class smart and green port as well as a benchmark for low-carbon transformation in the region.
At the terminal, an environment normally filled with the noise of heavy machinery and hundreds of workers is transformed into an operation that is almost silent.
Giant cranes move autonomously to lift containers, while automated guided vehicles (AGVs) shuttle back and forth without drivers, with the entire operation coordinated through AI-based digital systems, 5G networks and the BeiDou satellite navigation system.
Human intervention is largely limited to monitoring and control, demonstrating the high level of automation underpinning port operations. Given such a scenario, it is not difficult to imagine fully unmanned container terminals becoming a reality one day.
The scene also demonstrates that the automation revolution is no longer merely a vision of the future but has become a reality that is reshaping the modern port industry.
The journey continues to OPPO Industrial Park in Binhaiwan, offering another glimpse into China’s technological development, particularly in research and development (R&D).
Here, technologies such as AI, imaging systems, 5G communications and smart devices are developed not only to meet current market demand but also to help shape the digital ecosystem of the next generation.
SHENZHEN: FROM ‘MADE IN CHINA’ TO ‘INNOVATED IN CHINA’
The visit to Shenzhen offers a different experience. The writer is momentarily transfixed by the sight of autonomous cleaning robots making their way along pedestrian walkways, while driverless buses move smoothly using AI systems and smart sensors.
The scene brings home the realisation that the city of the future is no longer a ‘fairy tale’ found in novels or comic books, but a reality in Shenzhen.
If Guangzhou showcases the convergence of historical heritage and modernity, Shenzhen demonstrates how innovation can transform a fishing village into one of the world’s most advanced technology hubs in less than five decades.
The next destination is Shenzhen InnoX, an academy and technology entrepreneurship development centre that brings together young talents from around the world in AI, robotics and smart hardware.
Founded in 2021 by Prof Li Zexiang, a figure who has made significant contributions to the development of China’s innovation ecosystem, the centre guides start-ups from the initial idea stage through to product commercialisation in global markets.
Shenzhen InnoX Post-Investment and Public Affairs Specialist Miu Miao said the centre provides comprehensive support covering team building, product development, technical solutions and large-scale production.
“Shenzhen’s main advantage lies in the comprehensive supply chain within the GBA, enabling start-ups to produce prototypes and bring products to market faster and at more competitive costs than other technology hubs around the world,” she said.
The approach reflects the changing landscape of China’s industrial sector, from being known primarily as the world’s manufacturing centre to becoming a leader in innovation driven by research, technology and entrepreneurship.
SMART WATER MANAGEMENT DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY
The visit to Shenzhen also takes the writer to the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Project, a strategic infrastructure project that ensures a stable and quality supply of raw water to millions of people in Guangdong and Hong Kong.
Hydraulic engineer at Guangdong Water, Zhentao Wang, said the company’s role now extends beyond water resource management to include digital technology, AI, environmental conservation and clean energy development.
“Our operations also encompass environmental management and clean energy. We operate three hydropower stations in Guangdong capable of generating up to one billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Our water treatment plants are also equipped with solar energy systems,” he said.
He said the company has also developed various smart water management systems covering construction, operations and energy management to improve efficiency through the application of AI.
Seeing first-hand how digital technology is used to monitor reservoir ecology, regulate water supply flows and improve operational efficiency offers a glimpse of how the project is more than just utility infrastructure; it is also a symbol of regional cooperation supporting the well-being of communities.
INNOVATION IN TANDEM WITH SUSTAINABILITY
The journey continues to Qianhai, a modern development area that symbolises Shenzhen’s international cooperation. At Qianhai No. 5 Building, the physical development is designed to create an ecosystem bringing together talent, researchers, start-ups and investors to accelerate the commercialisation of future technologies.
Not far away, Bay Book City offers another side of Shenzhen. The modern public space, which combines a library, cultural facilities and recreational areas, reflects the city’s efforts to strike a balance between economic progress, innovation and quality of life.
The clean energy agenda continues at the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Base. Through an exhibition at the Nuclear Energy Science and Technology Museum, the writer gains an insight into how the third-generation Hualong One reactor was developed as part of efforts to enhance energy security, reduce carbon emissions and advance China’s dual carbon goals.
China set the dual carbon goals of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.
The Shenzhen experience is rounded off with a visit to BYD’s headquarters in Pingshan.
From battery technology innovation to the development of new-energy vehicles, the company demonstrates how research and innovation have become key drivers of China’s automotive industry transformation.
The visit then continues to the Low-Altitude Economy Science and Technology Park, showcasing the rapid development of the low-altitude economy, one of the emerging sectors receiving increasing attention in China.
Here, the writer sees first-hand various applications of drone technology, ranging from smart logistics and infrastructure monitoring to emergency operations and urban management. This demonstrates how low-altitude aviation technology is no longer merely a future innovation but is emerging as a new driver of economic growth and smart-city development.
The writer also has the opportunity to take in a panoramic view of Shenzhen from the 116th floor of Ping An Finance Centre. From a height of more than 500 metres, the rows of skyscrapers, smart transport networks and sprawling modern developments seem to encapsulate Guangdong’s transformation from a region once known as the ‘world’s factory’ into a global innovation hub.
(The experience was gained through a media visit organised by Xinhua News Agency, which was also attended by media practitioners from Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, from July 20 to 24. The visit was held in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Media Forum 2026, which began on Sept 5, as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2026 programme in China. The APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will be held in Shenzhen next November.)
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