Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation

Founded in December 2014, SFIEC is the first non-public foundation in China committed to promoting international exchange and cooperation and facilitating the city’s internationalization. The mission of SFIEC is to establish platforms for international exchange and cooperation, facilitate the innovation and internationalization of Shenzhen, and engage different social entities in global governance.Since its establishment, the foundation has focused on civil international exchange and cooperation, creating a number of creative and influential independent brand sections such as the “Shenzhen x Lancang-Mekong +”, the “CityPlus” platform, the “Value Plus” Platform, the “Shentlemen” Series, Empower Global Enterprises, and Engagement in Partners Public Projects. It has facilitated more than 1000 international exchange and cooperation activities, covering 8 major fields including Economy, Technology, Education, Culture, Arts, Environmental Protection, Sister Cities, Health and Wellness. Its external exchange footprint covers 6 continents, 37 countries, and more than 100 cities.

Flagship Programs:

1. Shenzhen x Lancang-Mekong +

Under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation,we have implemented a series of public welfare projects under the Shenzhen x Lancang-Mekong Initiative since 2017, focusing on areas including hygiene and health,energy cooperation and sustainable development, as well as education and cultural exchange.

The initiative was highlighted in the white paper”The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future.” Especially,the project on genetic testing of hearing loss and hearing aid assistance was awarded the “Top 10 Creative Projects” at the 20th Shenzhen Care Action.

Building on the Shenzhen x Lancang-Mekong Initiative,we have expanded to the Belt and Road countries in Africa and Oceania,forming the”Shenzhen x Lancang-Mekong +” .We are dedicated to pursuing local development and benefiting the people while building bridges of mutual understanding and win-win cooperation between China and Belt and Road countries.

2. City Plus

City Plus is a two-way showcase window and an online-offline interactive platform, enabling the world to explore Shenzhen and Shenzhen residents to connect with the world. By connecting Shenzhen’s sister cities, City Plus features “integration,” “experience,” and “interaction.” It has launched projects including @755 Series, The Voice of Shenzhen, and “LIVE LOCAL, LIVE GLOBAL” Shenzhen Urban Discovery.

As a key project of City Plus, the “Just Shenzhen, Just Young” Video Contest has been held annually since 2022, attracting hundreds of submissions from young participants and garnering coverage from thousands of media outlets worldwide. Each year, the Global Friendship Community events attract hundreds of local and international Shenzhen residents to join, creating a diverse and inclusive platform for cross-cultural exchange.

3. Value Plus

In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), we jointly launched the Value Plus platform with Shenzhen as a pilot site and innovative demonstration base, mobilizing social engagement in international development.

The first two projects of Value Plus feature Chinese CSOs Going Global and Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship in SDGs. These projects aimed to support social organizations, youth, and enterprises in engaging in international cooperation professionally and innovatively and promoting sustainable development by providing policy guidance, capacity building, and resource matching.

In 2024, together with UNDP, CICETE, and Longhua District Government, we launched the UNDP SDG Innovation Lab (“HUA HUB”). It aims to support Longhua District in designing and applying innovation driven localized sustainable development policies and pathways in a mega city context in line with Shenzhen’s mandate as a National SDGs Innovation Demonstration Zone.

4. “Shentlemen” Series

The “shentlemen” series were launched in 2015,including events such as “Shentlemen Hub,” “Shentlemen Salon,” and “Shentlemen Dialogues.” These events aim to foster attention to and support for international exchange and cooperation, amplifying Shenzhen’s voice and values on the global stage. By bringing together outstanding celebrities from various fields, we aspire to contribute to the Shenzhen’s globalization together.

5. Empower Global Enterprise

We establish high-end platforms for cooperation and exchange that help enterprises connect with high-quality international resources, facilitating the global development of Shenzhen-based companies. Our signature initiative, the Shenzhen Global Enterprise , advances substantive international engagement. By convening foreign consular delegations, overseas chamber representatives, and industrial leaders, we cultivate actionable partnerships and facilitate multilateral dialogues on regional business ecosystems. We coordinate immersive overseas market exploration programs for corporate delegations from the Greater Bay Area, equipping entrepreneurs with global vision through firsthand exposure to international business practices.

Together for a Global Community of Shared Future

Through collaborations with renowned public welfare organizations,thinktanks, enterprises, and business associations, we are committed to mobilizing greater social engagement in public welfare, jointly promoting social sustainable development,amplifying Shenzhen’s voice and telling the story of China.

We have established operational branches in Brisbane (Australia)，Toronto (Canada), and Stockholm (Sweden). we have signed strategic cooperation agreements with nearly 100 domestic and international organizations, creating robust mechanisms for communication and collaboration.

July 8, 2025