China’s remarkable urban development and rapid underground infrastructure expansion was on show when the international underground construction industry gathered for the World Tunnel Congress in Shenzhen from 19th – 25th April. Record numbers of delegates of up to 3,000 representing 60 countries heard from leading central and local Government officials of China and from representatives of the United Nations who extolled the value of the underground dimension as vital for the healthy functioning of society and for addressing critical issues, such as climate change, that confront the global community today.