Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@16.com

SHENZHEN has formulated an implementation plan encompassing 44 measures in 12 fields to comprehensively deepen the reform and opening up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, according to a press conference held by the Shenzhen Municipal Government Information Office at the Civic Center in Futian District yesterday.

According to Mayor Qin Weizhong, the city will go all out to promote the zone’s development. He reaffirmed the city’s faith and resolution to fully realize the central authorities’ grand blueprint under the joint efforts of Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

On Sept. 6, the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council unveiled a new plan for further developing Qianhai. High expectations were placed on the cooperation zone to better play an exemplary and leading role in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

A total of 203 key items centering on six aspects have been narrowed down as priority tasks in the implementation plan, said Huang Min, executive vice mayor of Shenzhen, at the press conference.

According to the two goals put forward in the plan, by 2025, a third of the newly added land for industrial use will be reserved for Hong Kong-invested enterprises. By 2035, Qianhai will witness a significant increase in the number of employed Hong Kong people, with its business environment reaching the world-class level.

After Qianhai’s expansion, Shenzhen will improve its management system and mechanism, boost industrial development, expand trade in service liberalization between Hong Kong and Macao, join hands with Hong Kong and Macao to engage in international cooperation, and strive to build it into an international new city center.

The city will study and formulate a negative list of cross-border trade in services, accelerate Qianhai’s formulation of regulations on investor protection, give researchers greater autonomy in fund management, deepen the reform of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao law firm partnerships, and build a big data service platform for cross-border trade.

Hong Kong and Macao hospitals are encouraged to set up branches in Qianhai.

Private bilingual schools and schools for Hong Kong and expat children are also encouraged.

Guo Ziping, director of the city’s development and reform commission, said Shenzhen will team up with Hong Kong and Macao to build a more globally competitive modern service industry system in finance, scientific and technical services, exhibition, marine services, professional services and new modern services.