“Located on the Pacific coast and adjacent to Hong Kong, Shenzhen has transformed from a backward fishing village into a modern international metropolis in just a few decades,” Xi said.

‘We have a deal’: Trump claims breakthrough after ‘12 out of 10’ talks with Xi Jinping

‘We have a deal’: Trump claims breakthrough after ‘12 out of 10’ talks with Xi Jinping

Analysts said China’s choice of Shenzhen as the host city reflected various considerations, including the desire to highlight the country’s gains in economic development.

Zhu Feng, executive dean of Nanjing University’s school of international studies, described Shenzhen as “a landmark city symbolising China’s economic integration with the world”.