Political advisers in Shenzhen have recommended developing more convenient cross-border channels for personal and capital flows with Hong Kong to build a world-class cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Carmen Kan Wai-mun, a member of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and also a Hong Kong lawmaker, suggested adopting “facial recognition” for customs clearance, particularly for travel between the two sides of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone.
The Hetao Cooperation Zone, located across the border between the northern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the central-southern part of Shenzhen, is a major cooperation platform for the Greater Bay Area development.
According to Hong Kong’s 2025-26 Budget, the Hong Kong Park will start operations this year and the Hong Kong SAR government will also introduce new policies to facilitate cross-boundary flows of innovative elements.
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Kan also advocated for more advanced cross-boundary payment channels as Hong Kong plans to expand its Faster Payment System beyond borders to enable small-scale cross-border transactions.
In particular, she proposed a cross-border capital transfer connect to cater to the demand for Chinese mainland talent in Hong Kong to purchase property or invest in wealth management products.
Data from the Budget show, under Hong Kong’s New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, that more than 880 applications have been received cumulatively, with an expected investment of over HK$26 billion ($3.34 billion), generating massive demand for investment.
In the tourism sector, political advisor Tenniel Chu suggested boosting tourism product consumption through sports activities.
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In addition to the 15th National Games, scheduled to be jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao in November, Chu proposed organizing more high-profile cross-border sports events, such as a cycling competition on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), and multi-stop dragon boat and sailing races.
He said he believes cross-border sports events can serve as a catalyst for enhancing the region’s tourism sector and strengthening collaboration among various cities in the area.
On February 23, Shenzhen and Hong Kong co-hosted a cross-border marathon over the Shenzhen Bay Bridge as a trial for the 15th National Games. It was empowered by innovative measures including facial recognition, GPS wristbands, touchless clearance at checkpoints and a real-time monitoring system.
As for transportation connections, political adviser Alex Ma proposed expanding the northbound travel scheme for Hong Kong and Macao vehicles to those driving through the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint. “In the initial phase, applicants could be restricted to those working or residing in Qianhai for a certain number of years, or professionals who have made specified contributions,” he said.
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The scheme has become a popular way of commuting in the area. The HZMB had witnessed over 5 million vehicle trips by single-plate car owners from Hong Kong and Macao as of February 22, according to the bridge’s border checkpoint.
He also recommended introducing low-cost or free cross-border buses, particularly for business routes between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, with stops strategically placed in high-traffic industrial parks, residential areas, and business districts to streamline commuting for individuals with businesses across the border.
Beyond strengthening the connection between the two cities, another adviser, Wang Lizong, suggested they should jointly explore the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market, by issuing ASEAN bonds in Greater Bay Area cities, backing Hong Kong in developing the ASEAN RMB offshore market, and setting up cross-border carbon trading and green finance channels.
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Wang, a national political adviser and president of Guangdong High-Tech Industry Association, said he believes cooperation between the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN can become a model for high-quality opening-up.
“ASEAN, as China’s largest trading partner, is making big strides to accelerate industrialization and digitization, so the potential of such cooperation is enormous,” he said.
