MAJOR transport projects in the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone should be included in the strategic planning and construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, suggested Wu Huanyan, a national political adviser and president of Shenzhen Xinerjin Dacheng Industrial Co. Ltd., during the annual session of the country’s political advisory body, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

According to Wu, the special cooperation zone is located at the junction of the core area of the Pearl River Delta and the coastal economic belt. It is 60 kilometers away from the Shenzhen border and 82 nautical miles away from Hong Kong.

Moreover, it has 468.3 square kilometers of land, 145 square kilometers of developable land, 50.9 kilometers of coastline, and 13 kilometers of high-quality beaches, making it an exceptional coastal area for development in the Pearl River Delta.

“Transportation is a key factor for the development of Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone,” said Wu, suggesting that the Shenzhen-Shanwei high-speed railway be part of the rail network in the bay area. Wu also supported the construction of the Shenzhen-Shanwei No. 2 Expressway.

Wu pointed out that the special cooperation zone has entered a high-speed development stage at present, but there is a serious shortage of educational and medical institutions.

A number of supporting facilities, such as hospitals, schools, cultural centers, parks and government-subsidized housing, should be built so as to create a livable and tourist-friendly coastal city, according to Wu.

Wu also advised that key issues such as the applicability of the laws and customs jurisdiction should be clarified.

(Zhang Yu)