SHENZHEN'S mayor Mr Li Youwei said the special economic zone and Hongkong could seek joint development to become the powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific economy.
Striving to become the window of China, Shenzhen will not threaten the special status of Hongkong, Mr Li said, adding the development of the two areas could be complimentary and mutually beneficial.
''There are no mutual conflict and contradiction between the two places,'' Mr Li said.
''For instance, the Huangtian Airport [in Shenzhen] could help alleviate the already-saturated airport of Hongkong. The same is also true for Yantian Port, which will help reduce the burden on Hongkong's container ports.'' Mr Li said companies from the two places could also be listed in the stock markets of both cities.
''It will not damage the growth of each other but further promote it. The faster the economic development in Shenzhen the more will be the advantages to Hongkong's stability and prosperity.'' Mr Li said the city has mapped out its development strategy to the year 2000 to become an export-oriented, international city.
''The goal is to serve as a window for the hinterland so that the domestic and international markets could be linked together,'' he said.
In spite of the national strategy of an ''all-directional'' opening, Mr Li said they were not worried about the competition from other regions.