The Qianhai Forum, themed “New Situation, New Reform, and New Action: Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation to Build a Hub for High-Quality Development of Modern Service Industries,” convened in Qianhai, Shenzhen on December 6th, 2024. The forum included a main session and four parallel sessions focusing on financial liberalization and innovation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong technological innovation, international legal frameworks, and new cultural industries, along with events centered on upgrading the pilot free trade zone. Over 100 delegates from Hong Kong and Macao, industry leaders, and experts attended to discuss developments in the cooperation zone.
Sustained Development Momentum
Qianhai’s institutional innovation drives its expanding regulatory openness. It has implemented 882 institutional reforms and is actively developing 18 modern service industry clusters. First-quarter 2024 statistics from the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone Authority show 8.2% GDP growth and a 50.1% increase in import/export volume, signifying robust growth.
Qianhai is enhancing the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub, collaborating with universities like the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and City University of Hong Kong to foster numerous innovation and entrepreneurship projects. The aim is to establish Qianhai as a leading area for Shenzhen-Hong Kong integration.
Fostering a Novel Shenzhen-Hong Kong Collaboration Model
Qianhai’s expansion has strengthened Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation, providing easier access for Hong Kong’s modern service enterprises to the mainland market and expanding industrial collaboration opportunities.
Cheuk Wing-hing, Hong Kong’s Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, highlighted Qianhai’s importance as a Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) cooperation platform. With over 9,000 Hong Kong-invested businesses and 10,000 Hong Kong residents in Qianhai, the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue its role as a central GBA city and regional development driver, aiming for mutually beneficial integration with Shenzhen and other GBA cities, aligning with national development goals. Government and business leaders are urged to leverage GBA opportunities and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in Qianhai.
Building a Future-Oriented Hub for High-Quality Modern Service Industry Development
Zheng Yongnian, Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and President of the Qianhai Institute for International Affairs, emphasized Qianhai’s need for high-quality, sustainable development as a “special zone within a special zone,” leveraging the benefits of expanded openness.
On December 7th, the Qianhai Forum’s annual meeting of the China Pilot Free Trade Zone Research Institute Alliance and a seminar on deepening the pilot free trade zone upgrade strategy were held. This included the unveiling of the Institute of International Trade Rules at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) and the launch of UIBE’s 2024 International Trade Rules Observation Report, summarizing 2023 global trade and economic trends and insights into global economic governance.
Source: The Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone
CONTACT: Contact person: Ms. Meng, Tel: 86-10-63074558
