Qianhai prospects brighten for HKers

More measures will be introduced to facilitate Hongkongers' life in Qianhai, Shenzhen mayor Qin Weizhong said.

Qin said in a press conference yesterday that Shenzhen has submitted a new overall plan for Qianhai to superior authorities that proposes 44 measures in 12 areas which will further divide the Qianhai plan into 71 key tasks and 203 short-term focused items.

"We will launch more measures to facilitate Hong Kong and Macao residents' life and work in Qianhai, to build a high quality living area that is suitable for living, working and traveling," Qin said.

He also said Qianhai will have public services - including schools, hospitals and social security - which link to the system in Hong Kong and Macau, so that these residents can "enjoy the same livelihood benefits as other local residents."

Qin also said Qianhai has attracted over 3,650 talented people from Hong Kong to work there so far, while Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub has incubated 245 Hong Kong start-ups.

Jiang Likun, executive deputy director of the Leading Group Office for Promoting the Development of the Greater Bay Area of Shenzhen municipal committee, said authorities are set to formulate a high-standard negative list on cross-border trade in services.

He said they would progressively relax measures related to commercial presence, cross-border payment and consumption abroad.

Shenzhen will also consider creating a freer and more efficient management system for cross-border practitioners, to further facilitate professionals from Hong Kong and Macau to work in Qianhai, Jiang added.

Separately, Hong Kong Coalition held an online seminar yesterday on the interpretation of the Hengqing and Qianhai plan, which saw the president of Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, Xu Ze, former chief executive Leung Chun-ying and Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po attend.

Xu said Shenzhen has welcomed Hong Kong with open arms, urging the SAR to integrate itself into national development for greater possibilities of development.

"If anyone still hopes to keep a distance between Hong Kong and the mainland, dragging the wheels of history moving forward, or even wants to drive backwards ... This is ridiculous and thoughts like this are destined to be wild fancies," he said.

He added: "Do not let this historic opportunity turn into a historic regret."
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