The Shenzhen story; from fishing village to thriving metropolis.br Before 1979, it was a tiny border fishing village with a small population, and serving merely as a customs stop into the mainland from Hong Kong. br br In 1980, it was designated as China's first Special Economic Zone, serving as a pioneer for the country's reform, opening up and re-development. The city was opened to foreign investment, technology, and managerial expertise through the establishment of foreign-owned, joint-venture, and other business enterprises. Now, Shenzhen is regarded as one of the most vibrant megacities and tech manufacturing capital of the world.