China News Service, Beijing, August 29th, title: "A Tale of Two Cities" in 40 Years, Shenzhen and Hong Kong should not just be "You Yu I shine"
China News Agency reporter Xing Yi
Shenzhen recently ushered in the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Special Economic Zone, and officially entered the "Year of No Confusion". In Hong Kong, which is separated by a river, public opinion has admired the epic miracle of its neighbors, as well as reflections and concerns about Hong Kong's competitiveness.
In fact, fears of being overtaken are not new in the past. From the GDP of Shenzhen surpassing Hong Kong for the first time in 2018, to the establishment of a central city in the development plan of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in 2019, to the subsequent construction of a pilot demonstration zone for socialism with Chinese characteristics in Shenzhen, Hong Kong has no shortage of views on the future of the "Pearl of the Orient". Thinking of developing roles.
However, if you only focus on the "Yuliang complex" in the relationship between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, it will inevitably be blinded. In the 40-year Tale of Two Cities, not only did you chase me, the more important aspect was the integration, mutual learning and mutual benefit of the two places over the past 40 years. Based on this logical observation, the outside world can see the full picture of the significance of the 40-year development of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone to Hong Kong.
In just 40 years, the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone has completed the continuous upgrade of agricultural development from a small fishing village, to low-end manufacturing OEMs, and to squeeze into the global high-end manufacturing chain with technological innovation. Whether it is the early capital investment, the establishment of rules, the shaping of the environment, or the later development of competitiveness, Hong Kong businessmen and professionals have always played the vital role of "leader".
At the same time, in the process of Shenzhen's transformation into a capital of innovation and creativity, Hong Kong's local industries have gradually completed the transformation and upgrading from industrial trade to finance and service industries, and the status of international finance, trade, and shipping centers has continued to stabilize. In terms of people's livelihood and the market, with the continuous improvement of the transportation infrastructure in the "one-hour living circle" of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen has increasingly become a strategic depth that Hong Kong can rely on with scarce land. It can be said that the cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong over the past 40 years can be described as mutually dependent and mutually successful.
Recently, observers have generally summarized Shenzhen's "success passwords", which generally include unremitting efforts to adhere to market-oriented reforms, correctly handle the relationship between the government and the market, private enterprises and state-owned enterprises, independent innovation and opening up. But as far as Hong Kong is concerned, we should see Shenzhen’s down-to-earth, mindless spirit and the courage to reform and innovate during the 40-year history of Shenzhen. In fact, as the forefront of China's reform and opening up, Shenzhen has never had less doubts and disputes than Hong Kong. From the "surname capitalist society" at the end of the last century to the "special zone is not special" controversy, to the "growth troubles" faced in the new century, facing several development bottlenecks, Shenzhen has only achieved reform and pragmatic "break through". Here comes a tolerant, equal, and pluralistic social development atmosphere. The development history of Hong Kong since its opening as a port has also continuously proved that the city's own positioning and role will never remain unchanged. Only by having the courage to reform, open and tolerate, keep pace with the times, and grasp opportunities, can it be invincible.
Now, a new round of industrial revolution represented by artificial intelligence, 5G, big data, and the Internet of Things is accelerating. Shenzhen and Hong Kong, as the top innovation base in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s international patent application rankings, have great prospects. As an international financial center, Hong Kong can continue to provide services for the listing and financing of science and technology companies; as a world-class higher education center, Hong Kong can still use its own talents, scientific research strength, and international perspective to support Shenzhen. At the same time, Shenzhen can also take advantage of its own market and rapid business conversion rate to provide employment and resources for Hong Kong's science and technology talents. But in addition to product supply, the construction of a regional collaborative innovation system is also crucial. How to make the Qianhai effect continue to spill over, realize the geographical breaking of boundaries, the circulation of elements, and the promotion of legal and intellectual property protection systems under the "one country, two systems" to promote the integration of the law and intellectual property protection on a larger scale is related to the height of Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation.
In the face of major changes in the world unseen in a century, the United States in particular has continued to act against China in the fields of economy and technology. Observers believe that changes in the external situation require China to firmly hold the initiative of innovation and development in its own hands. Shenzhen and Hong Kong should further join hands to integrate and become an important force for China to respond to the current situation, develop innovation, and shape the "dual cycle" pattern. (Finish)