Event brings together over 80 women from around the world

Over 80 women from more than 10 countries gathered at the Shenzhen Women & Children's Building Saturday for the "Gather in Shenzhen" International Women's Exchange Event.

Over 80 women from more than 10 countries attend the "Gather in Shenzhen" International Women's Exchange Event held at the Shenzhen Women & Children's Building Saturday. Photos by Liu Xudong

“I like Shenzhen because it is innovative, it has a huge technology center, and it’s safe,” said Kanwal Shahzina from Pakistan, an associate researcher at Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, during the event. “APEC 2026 will come to Shenzhen in November 2026. I believe it will open new horizons, bring new development, and create many future opportunities for people in Shenzhen, in China, and for all people in the world.”

The event began with a speech by Liu Jiachen, chairperson of the Shenzhen Women’s Federation, who welcomed women from around the world. “Shenzhen is fully committed to serving the APEC China Year,” Liu said. “Today’s event is a vivid example of deepening exchanges and advancing the global cause of women’s development.” She highlighted the building as not only a child-friendly demonstration space but also an international exchange window for the city.

Attendees listen attentively as guests share their Shenzhen stories. 

Three women from different countries and fields took the stage to share their Shenzhen stories.

Feng Changhong, president of the Shenzhen Industrial Design Profession Association, shares her story in Shenzhen. 

Feng Changhong spoke of dreams and resilience. Thirty-six years ago, she arrived in Shenzhen on a 12-hour sleeper train with nothing but a one-way ticket. From software engineer to president of the Shenzhen Industrial Design Profession Association, she helped take Chinese design global. Today, Shenzhen is home to 150,000 designers, creating industrial value in the trillions. 

“I hope women can use their wisdom, careers, and the power of dreams to bring Shenzhen’s unique expression to the world,” she said.

Kanwal Shahzina, an associate researcher at Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, speaks at the event. 

Shahzina has found a research haven in stem cell biology. What moved her most was not just the advanced facilities but the inclusive environment. 

“My lab head and colleagues have given me not only professional support but genuine friendship,” she said. Her team’s findings were recently published in Nature Communications. “This proves that in Shenzhen, women researchers can fully shine,” she added.

Sofia Duly, who works at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, marveled at the city’s rapid rise into a global metropolis in just over four decades.

Attendees exchange at the event. 

“Working and living here is a unique honor,” she said. “It has given me a truly special life experience.”

During the event, the newly formed “Shen Sister Foreign Language Volunteer Service Team” was unveiled and ready to build a bridge of language and culture, telling the world an open, diverse, and wonderful Shenzhen story.

Four foreign women were named as city promoters, taking on roles as city ambassadors to encourage people from around the world to visit Shenzhen.

Video by Zhao Xiaochen, Chen Siqi

As the event fell on the eve of Mother's Day, the attendees shared warm wishes with each other and with all mothers.