Expats explore sports & culture event in Longhua

Fifteen Chinese and foreign residents from Longhua District participated in the “Activities for expats to experience the Internationalized Longhua District” at the Jianshang Sports Complex on April 11.

Participants pose for a group photo during the experience event in Longhua District on April 11. Photos coutesy of LICC

Hosted by the Shenzhen Longhua International Cooperation Center and co-organized by the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Longhua District, the event was held under the theme “Explore Longhua, Dynamic Sports.”

The event comprised two segments: the “2026 Mr. Right Polishes Foreign Languages Translations of the Public Signs in Longhua District” activity and an interactive sports session.

Participants take part in basketball drills, tennis practice and table tennis coaching during an international exchange event in Longhua District on April 11. 

During the signage review, Chinese and foreign residents inspected bilingual signs throughout the venue and offered suggestions for improvements, supporting Longhua's efforts to internationalize its public services.

During the sports experience session, participants toured the key facilities of the Jianshang Sports Complex and joined group classes for basketball, table tennis and tennis. Guided by professional coaches, these activities fostered interaction and friendship among participants.

Sokratilina Anastasia (R) from Russia gestures toward a site map at Jianshang Sports Complex during the tour April 11. 

Sokratilina Anastasia from Russia pointed out that the lack of translation on elevator interfaces,  along with missing booking instructions and pricing information for the sports venue creates significant barriers for international users trying to access or reserve facilities.

She also noted that the iShenzhen mobile app does not support registration for foreigners due to the lack of international ID authentication options. While the app offers multiple languages, its dedicated section for foreigners is severely limited in functionality and navigation, which ultimately hinders usability rather than improving it.

Alexander Ramirez from Colombia points to a facility directory while exploring the Jianshang Sports Complex in Longhua District.

Alexander Ramirez, a Colombian teacher at Southern University of Science and Technology, mentioned the importance of using a common vocabulary for effective communication in the sports venue. He said that as 2026 marks the APEC China year, events like today’s are intended to strengthen cultural exchange between China and the international community.

“Shenzhen is positioned as one of the most dynamic and advanced cities globally, making it an ideal venue for high-impact international engagements,” he added.