Shenzhen three-year plan just a veneer, observers say

Shenzhen's three-year development plan, revealed on Thursday, would not touch the core interests of its officials or bring about bold reforms, observers said yesterday.

While the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong co-operation zone was placed at the top of the agenda, it was unrealistic to expect the plan to promote substantial reform there, one said. It would merely attract investment.

Shenzhen officials said yesterday the plan's full contenthad not been released, although leaders had briefed officials on its key points. They said it would focus on five areas, including accelerated reform in Qianhai to promote the city's service industries and industry upgrades and enhance co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Jin Xinyi, a member of Shenzhen's Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said it was clear there would be no political or civil reforms in Qianhai.

"The Qianhai project is an experimental economic zone with the clear goal of making the yuan a global currency, instead of a pilot project for administrative and legal reforms," he said.

"Institutional reform in Qianhai will only focus on those fields that promote the city's modern service industry and industry upgrades and enhance co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Hopes are slim that concrete administrative and legal reforms will follow in Qianhai."