Rapid change of Shenzhen documented by correspondent with photos

Yang Hongxiang (3rd L) discusses green building certification with colleagues at his company in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Sept. 22, 2020. Yang had worked as a military correspondent with the first combat engineers who pioneered the construction of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ). With photos and stories, he documented the rapid change of Shenzhen -- high-rise buildings mushrooming from barren lands, tarmacked avenues replacing dirt roads, public facilities such as museum, theater and airport rising from scratch. "Forty years ago I was recording this city and now I'm building it," says Yang, who owns an urban development business. "As a resident of Shenzhen, I've witnessed how it burgeoned and I truly take pride in the achievements we made." (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)