Shenzhen is taking the lead in China's smart city initiative, implementing innovative solutions such as drone food deliveries that can reach customers within 10 minutes, and self-driving buses that operate along designated routes. These advancements are transforming urban governance and service delivery, making smart technology an integral part of daily life in the region.

By the end of July 2025, Shenzhen will unveil the world's first robot 6S shop, dedicated to the sales, maintenance, and upgrades of robotic systems. In addition, plans for a pilot "robot theater" and a uniquely designed "robot district" are underway, further emphasizing the city's commitment to integrating robotics into everyday experiences.

Zhao Bingbing, the director of the Shenzhen Longgang District Artificial Intelligence (Robotics) Administration, highlights an array of services available within this district. Visitors will be able to enjoy robot-driven amenities such as massages, moxibustion therapy, custom-made jianbing, barbecue, and services provided by robotics in pharmacies.

Shenzhen's reputation as a smart city was bolstered when it received the prestigious City Award at the 2024 Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona. A selection from among 429 candidate cities globally, this accolade underscores China's substantial capabilities and promise in advancing smart city technologies.

The SCEWC jury recognized Shenzhen for its comprehensive innovations and exceptional solutions across various critical areas including technology, transportation, environmental management, and urban governance, affirming its role as a model of modern urban development.

However, Shenzhen is not standing alone in this journey; the evolution of smart cities is a nationwide endeavor in China. Many cities have established digital urban management systems, significantly enhancing their capabilities in intelligent urban governance and service provision.

According to Han Song from China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, nearly all prefecture-level cities in China have implemented digital management platforms and adopted smart technologies. These innovations have greatly improved operational efficiencies within urban administrations.

In Huizhou City, situated in Guangdong Province, advancements in automation are evident with an efficient automated warehouse cutting down workforce needs from approximately 50 to as few as three. This system boosts efficiency by around 40 percent while reducing operational costs by about 30 percent.

Moreover, Chongqing's Digital Urban Operation and Governance Center is recognized as the city’s "urban brain," capable of synthesizing varied data into coherent insights for monitoring essential utilities and infrastructure, enabling a comprehensive approach to urban management.

In Qingdao, eastern China's Shandong Province, the city has successfully integrated over 50 municipal departments into an intelligent command system, showcasing the scale at which smart technologies can streamline urban operations. Meanwhile, Dengfeng City is enhancing its cultural and tourism services through precision governance empowered by digital tools.

As urban centers focus on establishing high-tech "central brains," they are equally prioritizing enhancements in local communities, particularly in aging residential areas. This includes integrating smart services tailored for elderly care and improved parking solutions, thus providing residents with a diversified and responsive array of services.