Shenzhen has been recognized as one of China’s top 10 destinations most appealing to global travelers. The announcement was made during the 2023 Asia-Pacific Cities International Brand Forum held last Thursday at the Conference Center of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Fund Town.

According to a report conducted by the Asia-Pacific Big Data (Public Opinion) Center, Shenzhen ranked ninth among Chinese cities with an evaluation index of 367.37. The ranking was based on three indicators: city recognition (40%), city infrastructure (30%), and residents’ perception of quality of life (30%).

Among the top 10 cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou stood out for their economic development and infrastructure, while Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Xi’an performed well in terms of offering leisure and culinary experiences. The findings were presented during the forum by Li Yilun, the director of operations of the big data center.

The forum brought together around 150 representatives from government departments, enterprises, higher education institutions, and media outlets to discuss effective strategies for promoting China’s cities. In addition to the report presentation, the forum also featured keynote speeches by six professionals and included two seminars following the inauguration ceremony of the China City Brand Development Association.

The forum was jointly held by the China International Communications Group (CICG) Asia-Pacific and the China International Public Relations Association, along with other institutions.

During the forum, Xu Hui, president of the Upable City Brand Institute, indicated that city branding is a complex ecosystem encompassing various aspects such as tourism, culture, education, technological innovation, environmental protection, and business environment. Creating a successful city brand requires unifying the value propositions of these diverse aspects.

Wu Hongbo, honorary chairman of the China International Public Relations Association, shared his insights via video presentation, suggesting that cities should integrate their historical and cultural resources with modern development to establish a unique city brand image. Actively engaging in international activities can also enhance a city’s global recognition, according to Wu.