DAY5:Seek to be one, Shenzhen and Hongkong

domestic influence: 3.5 controversy rank: 2 genre: ecnomic, region key word: metropolis

This is no longer a fantasy. Shenzhen and Hong Kong, two cities separated by a river, might combine to form a world-class metropolis that holds a population of over 20 million, with economic power NO.3 in the world, only after New York and Tokyo.

That’s what Henry Tang, Chief Secretary for Administration put forward in a recent conference with officials form Shenzhen. Actually, the incorporation had been launched a few years ago and is now under construction.

Last month, Western Passage, a new bridge connected Hong Kong and Shenzhen was open to traffic as the sixth pass between the two cities. President of China, Hu Jingtao, held the ceremony.

Years ago, another pass, Huang Gang customs had been made 24-hour available. When in holidays, number of people passed Luo Hu Customs would surge to over 300000/per day. Hong Kong citizens ran north for investment and entertainment, for price in Shenzhen is much lower, property with a better potential in growth, and service by no means inferior. Also, since the Easy-trip project open to more than 40 mainland cities, a large number of mainlanders have traveled south to Hong Kong, the paradise of shopping. Under Free-trip, you longer have to make a tour there via any agency but to sign up in public security station instead. It made things easier and brought prosperity to Hong Kong. Last year, merely by credit card, mainland tourists have consumed over 7 billion yuan (about 700 million dollars). The new Disney also attracted more people there.

This is a reciprocal situation. Though difference in economic, society, and ideology still hurdles the progress, a brilliant vista is greeting Chinese.