As the esports industry continues to surge worldwide, the city of Shenzhen in China is setting its sights on becoming a global leader in this booming sector. During a recent summit themed “Link to the Future,” the city showcased its ambitious plans and initiatives to develop itself into the world’s esports capital.
The event also marked the first collective appearance of the national training teams for esports events at the Asian Games, united under the banner of the games and unified uniforms. Making a solemn pledge, the teams stated, “Every day on our journey to the Asian Games, we will unite, prepare earnestly, respect the Olympic spirit, firmly uphold fair competition, abide by anti-doping regulations, shoulder our mission, go all out, live up to the glory and showcase the strength of China!”
Shenzhen is diligently working to bolster its esports sector, committing to support the development of the esports industry with up to 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) and reinforcing esports content creation. Chen Shaohua, a deputy director of the Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, confirmed the city’s aspirations at the summit, stating that Shenzhen is determined to emerge as an international esports capital that not only leads the Greater Bay Area but also extends its influence across the country and globally, all within an estimated span of three years.
To achieve this, the Shenzhen government unveiled strategic measures on July 10. The city plans to offer funding and incentives ranging from 1 million yuan to 10 million yuan in six vital areas. These areas encompass reinforcing esports content creation, nurturing esports market entities, and enhancing the evolution of esports industry platforms.
Shenzhen’s focus on the digital economy as a cornerstone of its urban development strategy significantly underpins the city’s ambition to ascend in the esports industry. In 2022, the core sectors of Shenzhen’s digital economy witnessed substantial growth, contributing almost 1 trillion yuan to the city’s economy. This accounted for over 30 percent of the gross regional product, as reported by Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.
With these strategic steps and robust financial backing, Shenzhen is poised to redefine its image and role in the global esports landscape, thereby enriching the international esports industry while bolstering its local digital economy.
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