Shenzhen

[Big read] The northbound drift: Hong Kong’s quiet exodus to the Greater Bay Area

The cost of living in Hong Kong is notoriously high, and some Hong Kongers are choosing to move to cities in the Greater Bay Area in mainland China to live and work, in pursuit of a more manageable pace and quality of life. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tai Hing Shing finds out more.

Tai Hing Shing

19 May 2026

[Big read] Li Zexiang: The professor behind China’s drone boom and its future engineers

When DJI CEO Frank Wang’s undergraduate project failed, most would have turned him away. But Professor Li Zexiang, a leading innovator in China’s engineering education, recognised his potential and took him under his wing. Han Yong May, deputy editor-in-chief of SPH’s Chinese Media Group, sits down with Li as part of Lianhe Zaobao’s Future 365 interview series, to find out how his new engineering education system is building a new generation of engineers.

Han Yong May

17 Mar 2026

[Big read]: From Kowloon to Shenzhen: The bullet trains redefining Hong Kong life

Rising numbers of young mainland-origin professionals and even Hong Kongers live in Shenzhen for bigger homes at half the price, using high-speed rail to keep Hong Kong jobs — boosting quality of life amid sky-high rents. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tai Hing Shing takes a look at the good and the bad of this greater integration between Hong Kong and mainland China.

Tai Hing Shing

11 Feb 2026

Whose governance failed? Hong Kong fire divides social media

A deadly fire in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court sparks heated debate online: X users blame “mainlandisation”, while Weibo users point to Hong Kong’s management shortcomings. Lianhe Zaobao’s associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei explores the issue.

Sim Tze Wei

01 Dec 2025

As APEC 2026 lands in Shenzhen, Hong Kong fights for relevance

Hong Kong hopes to capitalise on Shenzhen’s APEC 2026 spotlight, but rising rivals in the Greater Bay Area threaten its standing. Can the city avoid being eclipsed? Lianhe Zaobao’s Tai Hing Shing explores the stakes.

Tai Hing Shing

24 Nov 2025

The 25-centimetre gap separating China from a truly civilised society

The recent incident of Taiwanese singer Zheng Zhihua at Shenzhen Airport has brought to light the struggles of disabled people in China. Academic Zhang Tiankan believes that their voices must be heard and more needs to be done to ensure accessibility, only then can China call itself a civilised society.

Zhang Tiankan

17 Nov 2025

Shenzhen: The city that built China’s tech empire

With China intent on leading global technology, Shenzhen has emerged as its foremost hub of innovation. Researcher Chen Xiangming and entrepreneur Taylor Ogan explore how this powerhouse of hardware, talent, and spinout startups is propelling China’s tech ambitions — and reshaping the US–China innovation rivalry.

Chen Xiangming, Taylor Lynch Ogan

21 Oct 2025

From outdated to unstoppable: The rise of mainland brands in Hong Kong

Compared with the overall leap in quality of mainland Chinese domestic products, Hong Kong brands have in the past few years appeared traditional and rigid, with dated reputes. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tai Hing Shing takes a look at the appeal of mainland Chinese brands to Hong Kongers.

Tai Hing Shing

16 Oct 2025

How BYD became the leading EV brand in Southeast Asia

The Chinese EV company BYD, after overtaking Tesla in selling more EVs in 2024, has ascended to the pole position in global green mobility. How did BYD rise so fast from a budding battery maker? And how did BYD expand its overseas markets? BYD senior specialist Huang Jiayi and US academic Chen Xiangming examine BYD’s success over the past three decades, with a focus on its footprint in Southeast Asia.

Huang Jiayi, Chen Xiangming

14 Jul 2025

[Big read] From manufacturing giant to AI leader: Can Guangzhou make the leap?

Guangzhou is setting its sights on becoming China’s next hub for applied AI innovation, says Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi. However, competition is stiff, and some experts say that Guangzhou still has a long way to go before it can overtake cities like Shenzhen.

Zeng Shi

26 Jun 2025

[Big read] From factories to AI: Can Guangdong catch up? 

Guangdong’s traditional industries face challenges, prompting a focus on high-quality development through technology. While lagging in basic research compared to regions like Hangzhou, Guangdong possesses strengths and the potential for catching up in the crucial AI race. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Daryl Lim speaks to industry practitioners and academics to find out more.

Daryl Lim

26 Mar 2025

[Video] Street massages in Shenzhen: A scam or a steal?

Cheap street massages are becoming an increasingly common sight in Shenzhen. What are the roots of this phenomenon and what is it like actually getting a street massage? Lianhe Zaobao Shenzhen correspondent Daryl Lim finds out.

Daryl Lim

26 Feb 2025