SHENZHEN should further play its pioneering role in reform, opening up and innovation under the guidance of the national strategy of building a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said at an interview with Shenzhen Special Zone Daily on Sunday.

The Central Government unveiled the outline development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in February last year, aiming to develop the region into a role model of high-quality development. In the outline, it said a Comprehensive National Science Center will be built in Shenzhen.

Xia Cheng, deputy director with the Regional Development Strategic Research Center under NDRC, said Shenzhen should strengthen its innovation advantages in the deep integration of industry, education and research to win status of a Comprehensive National Science Center. Through construction of the science center, Shenzhen should introduce more Central Government-funded laboratories, research equipment and institutions that attract world-leading scientists and improve basic research and innovation capability.

Shenzhen’s investment in R&D reached 100 billion yuan (US$14 billion) in 2018, making up 4.34 percent of GDP. The percentage doubled the national average. Xia said Shenzhen should strengthen the advantage in science achievement transformation and bring the innovation capability of enterprises into full play.

As the development of cities along the banks of the Pearl River Delta area is unbalanced, Xia suggests Shenzhen play a driving role in the construction of the Greater Bay Area.

Guangdong recently unveiled mechanisms and policies for integrated development of urban and rural areas, Xia thought the concerted development among cites along the banks of the Pearl River is crucial for improving the quality and economic size of the Greater Bay Area and improving the city’s leading role.

“Shenzhen should strengthen cooperation with Zhuhai and Zhongshan through platforms like Hengqin Free Trade Area and Cuiheng New Area to jointly build a demonstration area for concerted development,” Xia noted.

(Han Ximin)