More than 1,200 companies from Shenzhen are showcasing their technologies ranging from artificial intelligence to service robotics and smart healthcare at the 139th China Import and Export Fair, known as the Canton Fair, which opened in Guangzhou on Tuesday at a record scale.

Shenzhen has launched a new robotics service platform aimed at helping companies bridge a critical gap in the industry: turning prototypes into scalable, commercially viable products.

Last April, Charles M. Lieber, a globally renowned scientist in nanoscience and chemistry, joined Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS) as a full-time professor. He was also appointed an investigator at the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART). “Shenzhen’s dynamism and innovative spirit align perfectly with my vision to co-create a global scientific hub here,” Lieber said at his appointment ceremony. “I am eager to embark on this journey, collaborating with SIGS and SMART to turn ambitious scientific dreams into reality.”

Shenzhen-based automaker BYD is among several global carmakers partnering with chipmaker Nvidia to develop next-generation autonomous vehicles.

​Authorities in Guangming District have launched a recruitment drive targeting doctoral-level professionals, offering 593 positions across 33 research institutes, universities, public institutions and leading companies.

A five-day job fair at Pingshan Central Park running through March 3 is offering more than 5,000 vacancies across industries.

About 160 representatives from government, industry, academia and research institutions attended the 12th Annual Conference of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Qianhai Talents Cooperation Conference at Qianhai Block V on Jan. 30.

Two additional checkpoints in Shenzhen — Shenzhen Bay and Liantang checkpoints — have been allowed by the central authorities to establish port-of-entry duty-free stores.