Connect with us

Technology

Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei connects Chinese smart tech with global consumers

Published

3 months ago

on

BEIJING, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A report from People’s Daily:

At 9 a.m., the streets and alleys of Huaqiangbei in Futian district, Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province, are already coming alive.

SEG Electronics Market, the Electronic Technology Building and other shopping centers are opening their doors one after another. Stalls are packed with an array of smart electronic products, while buyers and tourists from around the world weave through the markets with suitcases in tow, exploring and trying out the latest innovations.

Known as “China’s No. 1 Electronics Street,” Huaqiangbei is home to 35 specialized markets and more than 115,000 businesses. It supplies more than 1 million types of electronic components and consumer electronics to markets around the world, making it a major global hub for electronics and technology consumption.

According to Chen Jiongwen, Party chief of Huaqiangbei subdistrict, the area receives an average of 750,000 visitors a day, including more than 8,000 international visitors, while foreign trade accounts for more than 70 percent of sales for most merchants.

Indian businessman Mall Kaoyou arrived with his suitcase and a clear goal in mind: sourcing China’s latest smart electronics.

He stepped into the global AI hardware selection center operated by Zhipinku, a supply chain and channel service platform, on the first floor of the Electronic Technology Building, where a pair of AI glasses caught his eye. Staff walked him through its full suite of functions: real‑time translation, high‑definition shooting, lossless music and an in‑built smart assistant. Kaoyou quickly put on the glasses to experience them himself.

“It’s amazing!” he remarked mid‑experience, probing for technical specifications and pricing. “These cost at least 1/3 less than comparable items on global e‑commerce platforms, yet come with more features,” Kaoyou noted.

AI companion robots, smart headphones, misting fans and more fill the store, which carries more than 300 smart hardware products from over 80 Chinese brands. Every product comes with information in both Chinese and English. As Kaoyou tried one product after another, his shopping list kept growing.

“I’ve never seen many of these products before. This place feels like a window into future technology,” he told People’s Daily.

In the past, foreign visitors to Huaqiangbei mainly came to source electronic components. Today, consumer electronics such as smart robots, AI wearables and smart home appliances are increasingly popular. Many international visitors come specifically to experience newly launched products at the earliest opportunity, said Meng Hangfang, co-founder of Zhipinku.

Overseas social media platforms are further expanding Huaqiangbei’s global reach. A new model combining online discovery, offline experiences, global sourcing and cross-border sales is taking shape. More and more Huaqiangbei merchants are using platforms such as AliExpress to sell their products around the world. The latest data show that electronics from Huaqiangbei are now exported to more than 190 countries and regions.

Kaoyou first learned about Huaqiangbei through social media. “Many influencers recommend this place and call its electronic products a ‘Shenzhen specialty,'” he said. “After coming here, I found the biggest attraction isn’t just the low prices — it’s the innovation. Many products can be bought here before they appear anywhere else.”

After trying the AI glasses, Kaoyou came up with a new idea.

“If you could make AI glasses tailored to the Indian market, with multilingual translation and longer battery life for high-temperature environments, they would definitely sell well,” he said.

“No problem. We can help you work with the brand, and you could have a customized sample in as little as two days,” Meng replied immediately.

This kind of rapid customization is increasingly commonplace in Huaqiangbei. More than 90 percent of the core components needed for a smart device can be sourced within an hour. Merchants can also quickly adjust hardware functions, system languages and exterior molds according to the usage habits and needs of consumers in different countries, making it possible to combine small-batch flexible customization with large-scale production.

“In the past, sourcing a customized smart hardware product often meant working with dozens of suppliers in different locations. Just getting a prototype could take weeks or even months. Huaqiangbei is incredibly efficient,” Kaoyou said after hearing how the process works.

That efficiency is rooted in Huaqiangbei’s mature and highly integrated ecosystem for technological innovation and industrial development.

Huaqiangbei is developing a model in which a product can be designed in the morning, prototyped in the afternoon, put into mass production the next day and shipped overseas within a week. A new smart product can go from an initial concept to overseas shipment in just one week.

For smartphones and other complete devices, the fastest path from concept to mass production is about one month, while the average iteration cycle for consumer electronics has been shortened to three to six months, far faster than the global industry average, Chen said.

Kaoyou said some of his friends back in India had previously brought back small quantities of AI headphones and multilingual translators from Shenzhen. Their advanced features and high quality quickly made them sell out at retail stores in India.

“I hope Chinese AI-powered electronics can help upgrade India’s smart consumer market and make my business bigger and bigger,” he said. He is also looking forward to working with brands in Huaqiangbei on joint customization, bringing more products made with Chinese ingenuity to the South Asian market.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/shenzhens-huaqiangbei-connects-chinese-smart-tech-with-global-consumers-302853852.html

SOURCE People’s Daily

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Technology

APEC 2026 Host City Promotional Video Shenzhen: Where the Future Takes Shape Released Worldwide

Published

4 hours ago

on

November 15, 2026

By

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 14, 2026 /CNW/ — Shenzhen: Where the Future Takes Shape, the official promotional video for the host city of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, was released worldwide on November 15, as APEC Economic Leaders’ Week got underway in Shenzhen.

Presented by the Publicity Department of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and produced by Shenzhen Media Group, the video takes “Where the Future Takes Shape” as its central theme.

It brings together Shenzhen’s pioneering reforms, its achievements in building a modern, people-centered city, and the theme of 2026 APEC “China Year,” “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.” Through the story of Shenzhen, the video offers international audiences a vivid look at Chinese modernization in practice, while extending a warm welcome to guests from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond. It also reflects the host city’s commitment to openness and its vision of working with regional partners to create a better future.

Shenzhen itself takes center stage in the video. Through six dimensions — innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, culturally advanced, and smart — the production captures the city’s character during this landmark year and showcases its vitality and appeal to audiences worldwide.

The Chinese- and English-language versions premiered simultaneously across Shenzhen Media Group’s platforms, including Shenzhen TV’s 4K Ultra HD channel, its international channel, and the international social media network of “Shenzhen Channel”.

Featuring more than 260 shots, 99% of them newly filmed in 2026, this six-minute film brings Shenzhen to life–from cutting-edge innovation and vibrant urban spaces to stunning natural landscapes and cultural diversity.

Discover a city where the future is already taking shape, and where people from across the Asia-Pacific are invited to come together, share opportunities, and build a brighter, more prosperous future.

At this moment, Shenzhen is at its best.

As the video’s closing narration declares:

In 2026, the world gathers in Shenzhen to write a new chapter in building an Asia-Pacific Community to prosper together.

Gather in Shenzhen.

Witness miracles.

Together, let’s create a brighter future!

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/apec-2026-host-city-promotional-video-shenzhen-where-the-future-takes-shape-released-worldwide-302939610.html

SOURCE Shenzhen Media Group

Continue Reading

Technology

IP GUANGDONG debuts at the Media Center of APEC Economic Leaders’ Week

Published

6 hours ago

on

November 15, 2026

By

GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a news report from South.

The media center for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Week opened on November 11 in the host city of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, southern China.

Located in Hall 2 of the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District, the APEC media center spans around 15,000 square meters. It will offer services including meeting updates, radio and television broadcast feeds, press briefings, and smart news gathering and production tools for nearly 5000 Chinese and international journalists.

IP GUANGDONG, a community open to anyone who wants to share Guangdong’s stories with the world, has set up a themed space called “A Home for Asia-Pacific Friends” at the APEC media center. The space offers Chinese and international journalists a friendly, homelike atmosphere and has been a popular photo spot since opening day.

What unique experiences does IP GUANGDONG offer at the APEC media center? Here is a first look.

Bringing Guangdong’s hospitality to the front lines of reporting

Openness, innovation and cooperation are the three priorities for the APEC China 2026, and they also reflect Guangdong’s approach to welcoming guests. Through “A Home for Asia-Pacific Friends,” IP GUANGDONG is using the occasion to build friendships and offer thoughtful, welcoming services to journalists from around the world. Reporters coming to Shenzhen may be unfamiliar with the city, find it hard to source material, have little space to film on camera or lack equipment, so IP GUANGDONG has set up a range of support services in the themed space.

IP GUANGDONG is a shared platform for Guangdong’s international image, and its library holds more than 50,000 high-quality images and videos from and about the province. Its “Visual Content Station,” located within the themed space, allows Chinese and international journalists to quickly purchase and license high-quality images and footage of Guangdong, providing a one-stop solution to difficulties in sourcing content and uncertainty over usage rights.

In the age of new media, news production moves at almost lightning speed. With a Pocket camera in one hand and a microphone in the other, a single reporter can gather and edit news right at the scene.

To support this way of working, IP GUANGDONG has teamed up with its partner DJI to set up a dedicated DJI service station, where Chinese and international journalists can borrow Osmo Pocket 4 cameras. Reporters can register on site with valid media credentials and borrow a camera for their reporting. During breaks, they can also capture the beauty and variety of Shenzhen, sharing their images with the world through IP GUANGDONG.

Discovering and sharing stories behind Guangdong products

Guangdong goods have continued to attract attention online and offline this year. Their global reach is underpinned not only by Guangdong’s strength in smart manufacturing, but also by the cultural appeal embedded in its products. Every Guangdong product has a story worth telling. Drawing on this rich source of news stories, IP GUANGDONG has teamed up with its partners to display a diverse selection of finely crafted Guangdong products at the themed space’s service counter, giving journalists a place to discover local creations and find inspiration.

Reflecting the current boom in designer collectible toys, IP GUANGDONG is showcasing a range of representative designer toy brands and characters from Guangdong. Highlights include dolls featuring Xiyangyang and Lerongrong, the mascots of the 15th National Games, who have just turned two. Also on display are 3D metal puzzles from Piececool and original characters Laura and the panda Mr. PA from ToyCity. Both companies behind these two brands are based in Dongguan, known as China’s designer toy capital. Also featured are Guangdong’s “three teas”: Yingde black tea, Chaozhou Dancong tea and Zijin cicada tea. Rich in positive symbolism, they offer a vivid introduction to Lingnan culture.

By introducing the products on display in this compact showcase, IP GUANGDONG will work with visiting journalists to explore the stories behind them and share with the world the message that “Guangdong products make the world better.”

Exploring Guangdong without leaving the venue

The IP GUANGDONG themed space also invites visitors to enjoy interactive experiences. Between assignments, journalists can relax and take away their own memories of Guangdong from the APEC China 2026.

At the center of the space, IP GUANGDONG has installed a photo booth where journalists can create personalized postcards featuring Guangdong’s landmarks and scenery. Visitors simply step inside, have their photo taken and choose their favorite Guangdong backdrop. Their custom postcard is generated on the spot, taking them on a virtual tour of the province without leaving the venue.

All 16 landmark images were captured by IP GUANGDONG creators. They include Zhao Junhui’s photograph of the Shenzhen International Exchange Center, the main APEC meeting venue; Liu Shihui’s image of Danxiashan in Shaoguan; Luo Jinping’s view of the “Sea of Pineapples” in Zhanjiang; and Qiu Xuqing’s photograph of the Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion in Shantou Small Park. Each image reveals a different facet of Lingnan’s beauty and reflects the platform’s vision: “Everyone creates, everyone showcases, everyone shares.”

IP GUANGDONG has also prepared 2,000 surprise gift bags for Chinese and international journalists. The bags contain Guangdong specialty snacks, everyday essentials, small cultural and creative gifts, and postcards from the “Snacks of Guangdong” series illustrated by guest contributor XiaoLin Comics. These gifts bring an element of surprise and fun to journalists’ day.

A space to connect: Say “Hello, friend!”

The APEC media center is both a place for Chinese and international journalists to work efficiently and a setting for face-to-face conversation and for sharing observations and experiences. The IP GUANGDONG themed space includes a dedicated area for interviews, discussions and cultural exchanges.

As visitors enter, they are greeted by the words “Hello, friend!” in 12 major languages used across APEC member economies.

On the columns flanking the space, IP GUANGDONG and Chinese tech brand HONOR present “Home Through the Lenses of Asia-Pacific Creators,” a collection of photographs created collaboratively by contributors from around the world. Images from across the Asia-Pacific are displayed alongside scenes of Lingnan, bringing different cultures into conversation through photography.

On the way from the work area to the dining area, journalists can enjoy a calming visual interlude at “Asia-Pacific Perspectives: Impressions of Guangdong,” an illustration exhibition jointly produced by IP GUANGDONG and China Daily. It features 40 selected works by illustrators from APEC member economies, including China, the US, Russia, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia. Guangdong’s streets and lanes, natural landscapes and the warmth of the Asia-Pacific family come to life in their illustrations. Journalists are invited to slow down, glimpse one another’s lives in familiar scenes, unwind and feel a little closer.

Don’t miss out! It’s giveaway time!

How to claim your IP GUANGDONG surprise gift bag

Dates and times: November 11–19, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 2:00–6:00 p.m.

How to claim: Scan the QR codes to follow IP GUANGDONG’s WeChat Official Account and WeChat Channels account. Then scan the registration QR code to join the platform and upload your first snapshot to receive a surprise gift bag.

Availability: Limited to 200 bags per day, on a first-come, first-served basis.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ip-guangdong-debuts-at-the-media-center-of-apec-economic-leaders-week-302939601.html

SOURCE South

Continue Reading

Technology

The First Cartridge-Free Smart Waterless Diffuser Is Here. What Would You Fill It With?

Published

11 hours ago

on

November 14, 2026

By

Lephrone set out to solve a frustration for customers who want smart control over their home fragrance and the freedom to choose their own oils. The H300 is the first waterless diffuser to combine cartridge-free refills, Wi-Fi app control, smart home integration, and an in-app fragrance oil library with scanning and personal notes. Customers can use their favorite compatible oils, create their own blends, and use the app to set a scenting schedule and track how much oil is left.

NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — “There are thousands of fragrance oils out there, so why lock yourself into just one brand?” said a Lephrone developer.

“Lephrone took the best of the diffuser world and left the worst behind.”

We wanted to make a device for people who need a ritual to unwind and want more control over their surroundings. There’s a whole world of sensory experiences out there, and our goal was to bring the way you manage scent at home into the digital world.

With the H300 lephrone diffuser, we kept what we liked about smart cartridge-based diffusers: Wi-Fi connectivity, lephrone app, voice control, and the ability to recognize oils and track how much is left. We made sure it supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. We also did away with what frustrated us most: never-ending subscriptions, cartridges that run out too quickly, and limits on which oils you can use. With the H300, you get to choose the oils you want and create blends you love.

We also added support for multiple users and multiple diffusers, so everyone in the household can control the devices and set schedules. The H300 can run even when it’s offline.

We’re releasing our own fragrances, too. In the app, you can scan them into your personal fragrance library and write down how a scent made you feel, whether you liked it, and what others at home thought of it. That matters because after trying a few oils, it’s easy to forget which one you loved most or which one everyone else kept asking for.

We’re rolling this out to more Lephrone models next. Stay tuned.

Media Contact

Elina, Lephrone, 1 6463844148, info@lephrone.com, Lephrone

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-first-cartridge-free-smart-waterless-diffuser-is-here-what-would-you-fill-it-with-302939367.html

SOURCE Lephrone

Continue Reading

Trending