Lagosians and Nigerians, in general, were recently introduced to China’s industrial city, Shenzhen during a one-week photo exhibition inside one of the largest galleries in Africa, Nike Art and Cultural Center, Lekki, Lagos.
The exhibition, organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, CCPIT, was in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. Shenzhen was recognized by the central government as a “national civilized city” for the sixth time on Nov. 10, an honorary title that reflects the city’s overall civilization level, and represents the top honour in the comprehensive evaluation of cities on the Chinese mainland.
According to CCPIT official, more than 120 international friends from 40 countries used photographic lenses to capture the magnificence of the city.
The exhibition, comprised of excellent photographs taken in Shenzhen by foreign friends who work and live in the city, as well as interview videos of the foreign photographers, depicts the livable, business-friendly, and travelable facets of the city. Collectively, the works highlight a cosmopolitan but cultural lifestyle of an international, modern and innovative city with inimitable architectural and construction feats.
Shenzhen, in southeastern China, is a modern metropolis that links Hong Kong to China’s mainland. Established as China’s first special economic zone in 1980, the leading global technology hub, dubbed by media as China’s Silicon Valley, is known for its shopping destinations, including Luohu Commercial City, a massive, seamless mall with a vast array of wares, of all needful things, from tailors’ custom clothing to faux designer bags. The city also features contemporary buildings, such as its iconic 600m-tall skyscraper, Ping An International Finance Centre, and several amusement parks.
The nearly one hundred works exhibited depicted vigorous developments of various undertakings in Shenzhen and faithfully recorded the passage of time and the vivid change in the landscape of the city. The collage of natural scenery, human dynamics captured in historical timelines and the seamless social milieu characterised by people’s livelihood, all showed the brilliance, observation and perseverance of the photographers who waited for hours for the picture-perfect moment before clicking their cameras.
The works showed a prosperous Shenzhen, with its topography of water, land and vegetation, and also the positive spiritual temperament of the city. The visual kaleidoscope showed offered a fresh perspective that gives a profound understanding of this pioneering city in China’s reform and opening up. Altogether, the visuals eulogize the spirit of the people of Pengcheng.
According to the organisers: “While enjoying the visual feast, one can also strongly feel the fresh breath of nature, touch the strong rhythm of the pulse of the city, experience the rapid changes in economic development, and witness the history of social progress.”
