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September 7, 2010

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Shenzhen marks 30-year milestone

SHENZHEN, the industrial behemoth that neighbors Hong Kong, marked its 30th anniversary yesterday as China's first economic reform zone.

President Hu Jintao told a celebratory rally held in the southern coastal city that the central government will always support the country's special economic zones for embarking on "brave exploration" in their roles as "first movers."

"The SEZs will not only continue, but should work better," Hu said. Southern cities of Xiamen, Shantou and Zhuhai, as well as the island province of Hainan, are the country's other special economic zones.

Once a small fishing village, Shenzhen has evolved into a metropolis over the past three decades. The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone was officially established in August 1980. Since then it has played an important role in the country's transformation from a highly centralized planned economy to a robust socialist market economy, Hu said.

Under the principle of "one country, two systems," Shenzhen has served as bridge for the mainland to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan for the nation's prosperity, stability and peaceful reunification, he said.

Li Ka-shing, Hong Kong's richest man, said in a speech the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone was the "driving force" of China's reform and opening-up.

"Overseas Chinese have been heartened and convinced by the achievements of the country's reform and opening-up," said Li, chairman of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited.

Wang Rong, Party secretary of Shenzhen, said the city will continue to play the role of "first mover" and strive to be at the "vanguard of China's scientific development."

He said Shenzhen is endeavoring to build itself into a "modern and international" metropolis.

Hu, in his speech at the morning rally, called on SEZs to become the spearheads in accelerating the transformation of economic growth model. He said a technological innovation system should be built to combine enterprises, market, production and research.

He also called for accelerating the adjustment of the economic structure and boosting consumption, especially household consumption.

The development of urban and rural areas should be well coordinated and the construction of the "new countryside" should be combined with urbanization, with cities playing a leading role, Hu said.

He called for developing modern agriculture and increasing farmers' income, as well as enhancing environmental protection.

He said "the socialist path of political development should be adhered to" and the socialist system should be self-improved and developed.



 

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