Shenzhen Touted as Model City for the Future

By Rakini Bergundy, August 26, 2019

China’s State Council announced on Sunday, August 18 its plans to further develop Shenzhen into a global metropolis. This emphasis on Shenzhen will also help ramp up the implementation of the Greater Bay Area plan with the southern city’s neighbors. The seven-part directive, posted on Xinhua, sets short-term (present to 2035) and long-term (2035-2050) goals for Shenzhen.

In regards to finance and the economy, further research on innovative applications of digital currency and mobile payments are strongly encouraged. Free exchange between Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao financial markets and mutual recognition of financial products will also be promoted.

Apart from advancements in the technology sector, Shenzhen also has plans to create a more eco-friendly environment. The urban green development plan includes protection of natural shorelines and the enforcement of a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude towards illegal activities and the environment. Additionally, the city has proposed the establishment of a maritime university and a national deep sea research center.

Other objectives outlined in the document include:

Strengthening the construction of a social credit system to build a unified social credit platform
International talent with Chinese permanent residence permits will be allowed to set up sci-tech companies and act as legal representatives of scientific research institutions in Shenzhen
Planning and construction of a number of major public cultural facilities, encourage national museums to set up branches in Shenzhen and to study Shenzhen as a pilot city for urban community sports facilities
Co-organization of various forms of cultural and artistic activities with Hong Kong and Macao, to carry out cross-border cultural heritage protection
Set up a global creative design award and create a group of international Chinese cultural brands
Accelerate the construction of a world-class integrated quality medical service system and an innovative health care system
Promote a unified social insurance public service platform to take the lead and form a ‘one card’ service management model with social insurance cards as the carrier

The spotlight is now on Shenzhen, the spectacular village-turned-tech hub, as China continues to forge ahead, planning for the future.

[Cover image via @will_tm/Instagram]