The People's Republic of The Future

When it comes to technology, Shenzhen may well be the most fascinating city in the world. It makes the majority of our electronics. It clones the best technology Silicon Valley has to offer with ease. And, these days, Shenzhen buzzes with new ideas and an unrivaled energy that ensure it will play a major role in shaping our collective futures.

In this episode of Hello World, journalist Ashlee Vance heads to the spectacle that is Shenzhen to experience it firsthand. The results are equal parts inspiring and disconcerting as tech-fueled entrepreneurs try to navigate an authoritarian regime.

#BloombergHelloWorld

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Credits:

Creator & Host
Ashlee Vance

Director
David Nicholson

Producer
Diana Suryakusuma

Writers
Ashlee Vance
Alan Jeffries

Director of Photography
David Nicholson

Editor
Alan Jeffries

Camera
Jack Lam

Camera Assistant
Qi Yang

Motion Graphics
Sylvia Yang

Fixer
Yang Liu

Audio Mix
Cadell Cook

Colorist
Allie Ames

[AshleeVanceHelloWorld]

Ello ello. We've taken the three-part series on Shenzhen and turned it into one, longer glorious episode of Hello World. It has a lot of new - dare I say - spectacular footage and some new thoughts about the city and where it's heading. Hope you guys dig in and enjoy!

[CrayonS]

Trump:" China is dangerous. They stole 5G technology from USA."
US Journalist:" Then where is our 5G technology?"
Trump:" Don't you understand me? China stole that technology from us, that's why we don't have it any more."

[lingoouu]

I grew up in Shenzhen. The speed of growth in Shenzhen is incredible

[NoboPenguin]

One of my friends who has worked both in Shenzhen and the Bay Area told me that she was frustrated by how slow things are made in the US. In the US, if she wants to have a custom mechanical part made to perform an experiment, she needs to submit an order to the manufacturer and wait for at least a week. In China, it can be done in matter of minutes, and she can walk over to pick up the order within an hour.

[winnitaqi]

living in Canada. At home, we mentioned once to switch to a benz car. we got benz ads everyday in gmails, google search pages and facebook ads. We mentioned once to get a pair of salomon shoes. right away promotions in mail, etc. What a high tech world with transparent privacy. And the politicians blame Huawei

[dragondescendant]

when I was little growing up in Hong Kong, looked across the border from the mountain, Shenzhen was nothing but a piece of flat farmland, and now it developed into a world class city.

[sebastianliam]

I like this video because it shows how hard Chinese people work for a so call better future. The economy miracle never come from anything taken for granted but their hands.

[gearzone]

Shenzen was just a fishing town 30 years ago. Damn!

[dudaygaming]

I can't help but compare American cities to Chinese cities. I visited both china and america and been to megacities and all I can say is that Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen is the future . And it's safe to walk at night. Western media really make up lies about china. You guys should just visit and see it with your own eyes. I feel so privileged to be able to travel and see the reality

[nickzhang]

DJI takes about 70% share of global drone market, which is quite impressive for a company of just 13 yrs.

[frogmanthelibertarian]

"If you want to see the past go to Pekin, if you want to see the present go to Shanghai and if you want to see the future go to Shenzhen" Chinese saying.

[guilherme]

I live in São Paulo, the biggest city in the Americas, and this video made me feel like I live in some kind of countryside past

[yomi]

I have lived in China for about 2 years. From what I have seen in China so far, it is really different here compared to what I have seen and heard in the media before coming to China. The Chinese people are hard-working and obsessed with work, yet they value health and rest.

It is hard to believe they love Americans to a fault.... It is quite funny. I don't think many Americans know this, though.
Mind you, Chinese Police don't carry guns. Lolz.... people live very simple lives and are very happy here. They love to "enjoy, relax and flex" after a hard day's work.

[paxwebb]

Great footage of Shenzhen, my home for the past 11 years! Even in one decade this city has exploded beyond imagination!

[ImranSahir]

1. Chinese don't view privacy as rest of us. They're fine with govt monitoring them as long as they aren't doing something wrong.
2. America also has had its "exceptionalism", China also has it with lots of things.
3. Let's admit we don't understand China enough yet, so we're scared to death by their meteoric rise.

[gunnr]

I've recently been to china with my class. Since I'm back my interest for China and especially Shenzhen has been ignited.
This documentary comes just at the right moment. Love it!!!

[billdong]

I love how balanced this is; it’s marvelous, it’s exhausting, it’s innovative, it’s intrusive. Great documentary 👍

[britishentertainment]

I visited shenzhen last October and holy molly was it impressive. I was more impressed with it than with NYC

[alistairrazi]

Thank you, guys, for making world-class products for the entire world. People from every corner of our beautiful planet enjoy the fruits of your hard work.

[simpleasliam]

I was sitting here thinking .... hold up I've watched this lol