According to a report in China Daily on February 7, 2026
SHENZHEN — Nanshan, a district in southern China’s tech powerhouse Shenzhen, is rapidly cementing its status as a global center for hardware innovation. The 10-kilometer stretch of Liuxian Avenue, dubbed “Robot Valley,” now hosts more than 100 high-tech exhibitors at international trade shows, including CES 2026, reflecting the district’s dense industrial ecosystem.
Local startups benefit from close proximity to suppliers, universities, and corporate R&D labs, enabling same-day prototyping and production cycles. The district has fostered over 6,000 high-tech enterprises, including nearly 400 nationally recognized “little giant” firms specializing in sophisticated hardware technologies.
Government support is a key driver. Nanshan authorities provide startups with bundled packages combining workspace, early-stage funding, and expedited regulatory approvals. “Our role is an invisible string — we don’t pick winners but ensure the ecosystem moves efficiently,” said local officials.
High-profile success stories include RoboSense, a LiDAR technology firm that grew from a doctoral project to a publicly listed company, and Insta360, whose panoramic cameras gained international traction. The district also hosts the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Venture Capital Fund, targeting 50.45 billion yuan for early-stage hard tech investments.
With Nanshan’s GDP exceeding 1 trillion yuan ($144 billion) in 2025, the district exemplifies China’s approach to concentrated innovation, combining industrial density, talent proximity, and supportive policies to accelerate next-generation hardware development.