Here’s what they had to say:

Andrew Gibbs, a high school teacher from the UK at Hongling Middle School, shared that “I’ve lived in Shenzhen for 10 years, but this was my first time truly exploring Futian in depth.”

He added that the experience completely reshaped his perception of the district:

“Some of my international friends used to think Shenzhen lacked distinctive attractions—but now I can confidently show them what makes this city special. From hands-on AI experiences showcasing the strength of ‘Made in China,’ to high-end fashion design that blends creativity and elegance, and the beautiful harmony between people and nature at the mangrove park—every moment made me say, ‘Amazing.’ What impressed me most was how smooth everything felt. The bilingual guidance, well-designed route, and thoughtful organization made it easy to fully engage with the city—and gave me plenty of great material for my video.”

Max Gnipping, a Swedish professional working in Shenzhen, praised Futian’s details and said that “the bilingual signage here makes a huge difference.”

He noted that whether at the HONOR Global Headquarters exhibition hall or the Mangrove Ecological Park, the translations were clear and easy to understand:

“With professional on-site interpretation and bilingual signs everywhere, I never had to worry about communication. I could truly immerse myself in the experience. Shenzhen has clearly put a lot of thought into making the city accessible for international visitors—this level of care and ‘passion’ really stands out.”

Nazir Nayab, a Pakistani student from Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, reflected that “this experience was incredibly meaningful for me.”

She shared that “my research focuses on water resource protection, so Futian’s work in bird conservation and ecological preservation really resonates with me. This trip allowed me to see real-world environmental practices up close. Shenzhen’s approach to sustainability has opened my eyes to new possibilities. I hope to bring these insights back to Pakistan—and I’ll definitely capture Futian’s environmental story in my video for the contest, so more people can see these inspiring examples.”

Jessica, a teacher from South Africa at Tsinglan School, was deeply impressed that “the creative energy here is truly captivating.”

She shared that “walking into the fashion hub felt like stepping into a space full of possibilities. Designers seamlessly blend traditional elements with modern, forward-thinking ideas—each piece tells its own story of creativity. Shenzhen isn’t just about cutting-edge technology—it also has a softer, expressive, and equally powerful creative side. The level of design here is truly international, and it reflects the city’s vibrant cultural and artistic scene. I can’t wait to include these moments in my video and show the world a more dynamic and diverse Shenzhen.”

Founded in December 2014, SFIEC is the first non-public foundation in China committed to promoting international exchange and cooperation and facilitating the city’s internationalization. The mission of SFIEC is to establish platforms for international exchange and cooperation, facilitate the innovation and internationalization of Shenzhen, and engage different social entities in global governance.

Since its establishment, the foundation has focused on civil international exchange and cooperation, creating a number of creative and influential independent brand sections such as the "Shenzhen x Lancang-Mekong +", the "CityPlus" platform, the “Value Plus” Platform, the "Shentlemen" Series, Empower Global Enterprises, and Engagement in Partners Public Projects. It has facilitated more than 1000 international exchange and cooperation activities, covering 8 major fields including Economy, Technology, Education, Culture, Arts, Environmental Protection, Sister Cities, Health and Wellness. Its external exchange footprint covers 6 continents, 38 countries, and more than 100 cities.