Hong Kong will play active role in developing Shenzhen’s Qianhai economic zone, Carrie Lam says, extending own ‘hinterland’ in process
- Administration will work with mainland counterparts to seize opportunities offered by Beijing expansion plan
- Macau’s deal with economic zone in Zhuhai should not be overlooked either, chief executive says, noting access provided by mega bridge opened in 2019
Hong Kong will take an active role in the development of Shenzhen’s burgeoning Qianhai economic zone, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has pledged, noting the city’s own economic horizons will expand alongside those of the area Beijing plans to grow eightfold in coming years.
A separate initiative that will link neighbouring Macau with the Hengqin economic zone in Zhuhai would also have knock-on benefits for Hong Kong, Lam added on Tuesday, noting an existing collaboration with the southern Chinese city’s airport and the mega bridge that now connects the three cities.
“The expansion of Qianhai provides a greater hinterland for us,” she said of the economic zone, which is swelling from 14.9 sq km to 120.6 sq km under the plan.
“Our professionals [previously had] 15 sq km in which to provide services or conduct business. Now that area is much bigger. With modernisation and reforms in the pipeline, it is set to offer professional services providers far more opportunities,” Lam said during her weekly press briefing.
“It will also provide more steam for Hong Kong’s economic development,” she said.
