Editorial | Synergy, not friction, for Shenzhen tie-up

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has sought to distinguish his administration as “result-oriented”, with clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress and achievements. It looks like he has just been given KPIs on the innovation and technology front by Beijing – a collaboration mechanism with Shenzhen in place by 2025, followed by a fully fledged cross-border IT hub by 2035.

This seems like a tall order, not just because our mainland China neighbour has long outpaced development in the region. Thanks to its burgeoning tech industry, Shenzhen’s gross domestic product overtook Hong Kong’s for the first time in 2018.

The city is struggling to catch up, with successive governments producing action blueprints one after another over the years.

In an unusual move to speed up integration, the State Council outlined 30 measures in a development plan for the Lok Ma Chau Loop. They cover areas such as positioning, overall layout and infrastructure plans for the Shenzhen IT Park, as well as collaboration with Hong Kong to promote investment and high-quality development in the Greater Bay Area, a national drive to turn Hong Kong and 10 neighbouring cities into an economic powerhouse.

06:19

High hopes for China’s Greater Bay Area, but integrating 11 cities will pose challenges

High hopes for China’s Greater Bay Area, but integrating 11 cities will pose challenges

Hong Kong has long realised that the gap with Shenzhen must be narrowed, if not closed. This is to be achieved with the ambition to create an IT-oriented northern metropolis.