Photo: VCG

A grand meeting celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was held on Wednesday, with Chinese President Xi Jinping stressing the valuable experience gained from the development miracles of China’s first SEZ and adding that China will continue to push forward SEZ schemes in a better and higher-level manner. 

Forty years of reform and opening-up of Shenzhen and other SEZs have created great miracles, accumulated valuable experience, and deepened the understanding of the laws of building the SEZs of socialism with Chinese characteristics, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The establishment of special economic zones was a great innovative move made by the CPC and the country in advancing reform and opening up as well as socialist modernization, Xi said.

Xi identified the valuable experience in 10 aspects, including adhering to the Party's leadership in the construction of SEZs and always keeping construction in the right direction, upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and making the system more mature and stable through reform practices.

Xi also noted that China will stick to the fundamental principle of "one country, two systems" in a comprehensive and accurate manner, promote the integrated development of the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, and give full play to the leading and exemplary role of SEZs while making overall plans for the country, so that they can contribute more to national development. 

China’s central govt will give Shenzhen more autonomy in the reform of important fields and key procedures. China will also roll out 27 reform measures and 40 authorization items for Shenzhen, according to Xi. 

Xi summarizes experience of Shenzhen and other SEZs' reform and opening-up in 10 aspects Infographic: GT

China should uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and make the system more mature and stable through reform practices. China will also remain committed to opening up on all fronts, said Xi.

Representatives of people who have made great contributions to Shenzhen over the past four decades also made speeches at the grand gathering on Wednesday. 

Chen Zhilie, founder and chairman of Evoc Intelligent Technology Co, delivered a speech and shared a story of how he developed his business career in Shenzhen over the past decades, and vowed to become the No.1 in the special computer products sector.

The Hong Kong-listed firm is principally engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and distribution of Special Computer products and the trading of electronic products and accessories.

Despite cloudy weather, Shenzhen residents were enthusiastic in welcoming Xi’s visit and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the SEZ. 

“Today is a big day for Shenzhen. We’re about to open a new chapter of development after four decades of reform and opening-up. But we will never forget how we got here,” an excited local resident surnamed Zheng told the Global Times.

In a main street in Qianhai, an area representing a major development direction for Shenzhen, residents waved Chinese national flags, flowers were blossoming and banners marking the 40th anniversary were seen everywhere.

In recent days, many visitors have been taking photos with the landmark stone in Qianhai, as Xi had stood near the stone in 2018 during a previous visit.