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  • This is the Chinese mega city of Shenzhen

  • a gleaming monument to China's economic miracle.

  • In 1980 it was a town with around 60,000 residents.

  • Now it's China's technological hub, with a population of over 12 million.

  • Entrepreneurs, high-flying tech graduates and international companies flock here to

  • join the tech revolution.

  • Welcome to Shenzhen

  • Shenzhen sits north of Hong Kong in the

  • Pearl River Delta.

  • One of the most densely urbanised regions in the world.

  • The area has an estimated population of 120 million people

  • In 1980 Shenzhen was dedicated a Free Economic Zone - an experiment in market capitalism

  • in Communist China.

  • The effects were explosive. Shenzhen's population skyrocketed in just over 30 years.

  • The city has a massive migrant workforce. Over 4 million residents staying during the

  • week and then returning home on the weekend.

  • But, it's tech hardware that has put this city on the map.

  • If Silicon Valley dreams it up, then this is where it's made.

  • This is Huaqiangbei market - arguably the world's largest electronics market.

  • Filming here is banned…..

  • but here's a sneaky peak.

  • The market's neon lit corridors stretch across multiple buildings and many floors.

  • The stalls sell everything from the latest gadgets, to the tiniest screws and many items

  • are rips off, Chinese fakes of US products.

  • But if you wanted to, you could buy all you need to build your own smartphone, or 100,000 of them

  • Because Shenzhen draws in workers from across China, its foods scene is just as varied as

  • its population.

  • If you're looking for the full banquet experience,

  • Shang Palace in the Shangri-La Hotel has got you covered.

  • Their Dim Sum lunch is a feast for the eyes and the mouth.

  • It's a showcases of authentic Cantonese cuisine.

  • Or try something a little more casual, such as Chinese Hot Pot.

  • A simmering pot of soup stock is kept on your table

  • and you put your choice of ingredients in.

  • One of the most famous variations is flavoured which Sichuan pepper

  • so watch out, it can pack a serious spicy punch.

  • When you get the bill you'll notice QR codes.

  • Here in Shenzhen they're used by locals to pay for just about everything.

  • Simply scan the code and the money is transferred. Sound great but there's a hitch.

  • You can't use them unless you have a Chinese bank account.

  • So a technology to make life easier only works if you're a local.

  • Finally, why not enjoy some sport...

  • Shenzhen style.

  • This is Robomaster. A competition put on by local drone and tech company DJI.

  • Students teams from around the world compete

  • using a variety of self made robots to shoot each other and destroy the opposition base.

  • The competition aims to foster engineering and programming and keep Shenzhen at the

  • forefront of the tech revolution.

This is the Chinese mega city of Shenzhen

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