Deputies to the National People’s Congress and members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee from Shenzhen and Hong Kong have expressed their expectations for the coordinated development of the Shatoujiao area at this year’s national “two sessions,” China’s biggest annual political event.
The deputies and political advisers hoped to build a new and important strategic platform for Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation through innovative institutional design and policies, relying on key nodes such as Shatoujiao, Zhongying Street and Yantian Port, and further enrich the practice of “one country, two systems,” Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.
Li Dahong, a member of the CPPCC and chairman of Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group, is very concerned about the planning and construction of the Shatoujiao Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Tourism Consumption Cooperation Zone.
According to the plan, the 26-square-kilometer cooperation zone will feature tourism and consumption and aims to become a top destination for international cross-border travel.
“It is necessary to fully promote the cooperation zone’s construction and build it as a national strategic platform,” Li was quoted as saying, adding that promoting the coordinated development of Shenzhen-Hong Kong cross-border tourism is an important measure to strengthen Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation.
Li suggested that a number of mechanisms should be established to facilitate the building of the cooperation zone and cross-border travel. He also advised that Zhongying Street’s management system refroms should be accelerated.
Huang Xiqin, a deputy to the country’s top legislature and chairperson of Guozhonglian Group, also shared her suggestions on building the cooperation zone.
She suggested that the Shatoujiao area in Shenzhen and the Sha Tau Kok control area in Hong Kong be designated as the pilot areas for Shenzhen-Hong Kong in-depth cooperation.
Political adviser Lin Na believes that Zhongying Street has the first-mover, geographical and policy advantages of Shenzhen-Hong Kong integration.
“I suggest that we explore the street’s transformation from the perspective of the ‘one country, two systems’ policy, innovate the Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation model, and turn the street into an important platform for the integration and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,” Lin said.