The high-profile Guangdong Free Trade Zone is set to launch on March 18. Haven’t heard much about it? Here’s what to expect from the new area, and what it means for Hong Kong. Greater cross-border collaboration between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. What it means: The SARs may be geographically linked to the mainland, but it’s no secret that they’ve struggled to see eye-to-eye on several issues: elections, parallel imports and security laws have all been considerable points of friction. The Guangdong Free Trade Zone is intended to make it simpler than ever for large shipments of milk power to be carried across the border. That way, everyone will be happy! Relaxed restrictions on investors and greater recognition for professionals. What it means: Continuing the spirit of greater collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, all owners of SME businesses, including milk product import-export companies, will be afforded more leeway in their business activities. Similarly, anti-parallel trader protesters will be officially upgraded to “rioter” status, making them eligible for the kind of crowd control techniques China is best at. The FTZ to cover 116 square kilometers, including Shekou in Shenzhen. What it means: Everyone is going to have to learn to pronounce “Shekou” properly, otherwise Shek O on Sunday afternoons will be even more insufferably full of foreigners than it already is. A Free Trade Zone to rival Shanghai. What it means: This is the second FTZ after Shanghai’s successful Free Trade Zone was launched in 2013, proving that there’s nothing Shanghai has which Hong Kong can’t make a stab at claiming, other than the CCP’s love and respect. A freer internet? What it means: One great potential inducement to Hong Kong businesses looking to spread the wealth around the Pearl River Delta region is the possibility of a less restricted internet, allowing overpaid expat consultants to easily tweet about inconsequential bullshit and send dick pics to each other over Snapchat, thus proving the fundamental value of the freedom of the internet.
