The cooperation between Shenzhen (SZ) and Hong Kong (HK) has deep historical and cultural foundation. Since the return of HK, the relationship between the two places has been developed steadily, and upgraded gradually. HK has the advantage as an international financial center, and advanced developed modern service industry. During a very long period, people in the two places have done more or less corresponding comparison on development issues. HK people also concern whether to cooperate with SZ would cultivate a competitor who would get a piece of a pie in the fierce market competition. Besides, what are the key areas and breakthrough points of bilateral cooperation? Both the official and the civil society are looking forward to establish a breakthrough and all-round cooperation framework.

 

In this context, Professor Edward Chen K Y, president of Qianhai Institute for Innovation Research (QIIR), former president of Lingnan University, invited leaders from HK in the fields of finance, science and technology, education, professional services, etc., to have a closed-door working seminar on November 14, 2015 in HK. The event sought a new breakthrough in the SZ-HK cooperation from the perspective of HK people.
 
At the meeting, the guests reviewed the history of cooperation between SZ and HK. They widely believed that SZ has showed great sincerity, moreover, has developed the Qianhai SZ-HK modern service industry cooperation zone to explore the mode of SZ-HK cooperation. But from the perspective of HK, the introduction of all policies about cooperation or the implementation of projects are still on small scale, which makes the concept of cooperation difficult to apply in HK and the aspiration of fusion hard to strike root in the hearts of people. HK has the advantage as an international financial center and advanced developed modern service industry, so if there is no great attraction, why should HK "condescending" to cooperate with SZ? If only for the purpose of helping SZ to develop without significant achievements in HK's own development, why should it takes efforts to cooperate? It would only cultivate a competitor to share the cake in the fierce market competition, isn’t it? What are the key areas and breaking points in SZ-HK cooperation at the current stage on earth?
 
Guests repeatedly emphasized that a groundbreaking framework for cooperation must be introduced to achieve all-round SZ-HK cooperation and attract HK people to develop in SZ. It is also crucial to manage time, to break the quota restrictions, to increase the open intensity, to further improve the infrastructure and transport facilities, and to foster more livable environment for residential and business. (Click on the attachment below to view the full report.)