Moves to create a 'metropolis rim' in southern China are under
way.
The Municipal People's Congress of Shenzhen passed its 11th
Five-Year Plan (2006-10) yesterday which attaches strategic
importance to the establishment of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong
metropolis rim for the first time.
It will be formed in light of the framework of the Closer
Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), the Pan-Pearl River
Cooperation Mechanism and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation
Agreement.
It aims to promote the joint development of the two metropolises
in the Pearl River Delta area and encourage more cooperation
between the areas.
According to the plan the city will build seven more checkpoints
along the border to serve the development of Hong Kong in the next
five years. They will be located at Shenzhen Bay, Futian, Liantang,
Dachan Bay, Shayuchong Port, Nan'ao Port and Longhua Railway
Station.
Currently, Luohu and Huanggang are the two main checkpoints
among a current total of five. Statistics from Shenzhen Ports
Administration Office indicate that Shenzhen handled 159 million
entries and exits last year, with a daily average of 437,000. The
figure represented an increase of 6.1 percent over 2004 and
accounted for 53 percent of the nation's total.
At Luohu Checkpoint, an average of 248,626 entries and exits
were made every day last year. Huanggang Checkpoint handled a daily
average of 130,375.
In the next five years Shenzhen will continue to improve its
checkpoint infrastructure and management coordination to match the
long-term strategy of Hong Kong, the plan states. It will actively
carry out measures for passengers on both sides to make convenient
entries and exits at the checkpoints. It will also simplify the
customs formalities for vehicles to pass the checkpoints.
The city will push forward the customs system reform at ports as
well.
The program also outlines how Shenzhen will actively strengthen
exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong in the fields of
infrastructure construction, environmental protection, culture,
education and science.
At the same time of serving Hong Kong's needs, Shenzhen is also
planning to build itself into an important regional international
city within 15 years. It will invest 38.5 billion yuan (US$4.79
billion) to extend its subway lines during the period. By 2009
Metro Line 1 will be extended directly to the airport.
The city will build a new railway station, according to the
program, with detailed plans having already been drawn up.
Construction is expected to be completed by 2010.
(China Daily March 27, 2006)
