Like Shenzhen, the Northern Metropolis is animated by the spirit of experimentation
At the heart of Hong Kong’s first five-year plan lies the Northern Metropolis – a massive tract of land spanning roughly a third of our entire city. Much ink has been spilled over what this project represents and why it matters, but if I had to summarise it in a single sentence, I would call it the “Shenzhen of Hong Kong”. To me, Shenzhen stands as the most miraculous growth story on Earth.…
Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis bears the spirit of Shenzhen, the city that has become a global innovation hub. Both cities share a common Chinese political philosophy, which is often misunderstood by outsiders. In 1979, China's new leaders, under Deng Xiaoping, established special economic zones in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Shantou to experiment with capitalist practices.
These zones allowed for rapid growth and success, which inspired the rest of the country. Hong Kong now faces a dilemma as it seeks to integrate with the national plan while maintaining its capitalist system. The Northern Metropolis is a proposed special zone within Hong Kong, designed to foster innovation and test new ideas without the constraints of existing frameworks.
This approach allows for faster progress and learning, similar to the model that made Shenzhen a success. The key is to balance speed with stability, using initial successes to build momentum and maintain dynamic growth. While Shenzhen's meteoric rise may have been unpredictable, it was driven by visionary policies and a methodical approach to integrating capitalist best practices.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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