GOVERNMENT agencies are working on a traffic improvement plan for the section of Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway between Futian Tollgate and Huanggang Tollgate that will release more land for infrastructure development.

The city and Futian governments are actively promoting a public transport system for Futian Bonded Zone by setting up Fubao Station on the extension of Metro Line 3 and two stations on the extension of Metro Line 10 in Futian Bonded Zone, according to a meeting of the Futian District Committee of the CPPCC on Wednesday regarding a proposal put forward by political advisers on the development of SZ-HK Loop Innovation and Technology Park.

“With the development of SZ-HK Loop Innovation and Technology Park, people expect to be able to work in the Loop while living in Futian. Commuting problems will arise and the Futian government should proactively plan to solve the commuting problems by providing public transportation between Futian CBD and the Loop area,” said Zhou Wanxiong, member of the executive committee of the Futian District Committee of the CPPCC.

To solve the disconnect between the Loop and Futian, Zhou suggested that governments consider turning the section of Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway between Futian Tollgate and Huanggang Tollgate into an urban road to liberate more land resources for road projects and opening shuttle buses in Futian Bonded Zone to connect to the Loop area.

To promote the development of the Loop area, Futian District plans to establish Shenzhen-Hong Kong Coordinated Innovation Center to introduce innovative projects. At present, Futian Innovation Center, SUSTech, Hong Kong Productivity Council, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science Cooperation Promotion Council have started or will start projects at the innovation center.

Zhou thinks that Futian should set up a strategic team for the development of the Loop area, chart a blueprint for the specialized economy between Futian and Huanggang checkpoints and develop new business modes, such as cross-border e-business and supply chain management, by making use of the advantages of the Futian Bonded Zone.

According to a report by the Southern Metropolis Daily on Thursday, Futian District may work out a comprehensive plan to promote the development of the economy and trade between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, as well as science innovation, education and health through coordinating the development of the Futian Checkpoint, Huanggang Checkpoint and Futian Bonded Zone areas.

Shenzhen and Hong Kong signed a memorandum this January for the joint development of Lok Ma Chau Loop.

(Han Ximin)