Today, Shenzhen Special Economic Zone celebrates its 45th birthday.
Shenzhen is a brand-new city created by the Party and the people after the reform and opening up, a vivid demonstration of socialism with Chinese characteristics on a blank sheet of paper. Forty-five years ago, the Central Committee of the Party, with great foresight and a clear understanding of the situation, made the major strategic decision to establish special economic zones, initiating Shenzhen’s magnificent practice of reform and opening up. Over the past 45 years, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee, the cadres and masses of Shenzhen have forged ahead with determination and hard work, achieving brilliant accomplishments in the reform and development of the special economic zone. What was once a backward border town has transformed into an international metropolis with global influence—a miracle in the history of world development created by the Chinese people.
The spring tide surges in Pengcheng, astonishing the world. Shenzhen, with its historic transformation and vibrant development, resoundingly declares that the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is correct, viable, stable, and successful!
Over 45 years, reform has surged like waves. From crossing the river by feeling the stones to pioneering over a thousand national firsts, and then venturing into deep waters to lead the way in key areas, reform in Shenzhen Special Economic Zone has advanced wherever practice has expanded. Today, Shenzhen answers the questions of the times through institutional breakthroughs and innovative mechanisms, continuously unleashing development dividends through reform to turn Chinese modernization into reality.
Over 45 years, opening up has set sail across vast horizons. From seizing opportunities and shaping advantages through early opening up, to fostering new opportunities and enhancing strengths through high-level opening up, Shenzhen Special Economic Zone has taken the initiative in opening up to gain the initiative in economic development. Today, Shenzhen embraces the world at a higher level, with its doors open wider and brighter, making greater contributions to accelerating the construction of a new development pattern.
Over 45 years, innovation has raced forward with each passing day. From integrating into the global industrial system by learning from the lower end of the value chain, to the robust rise of “20+8” strategic emerging industries and future industries, Shenzhen has adhered to scientific and technological innovation as its primary driving force, continuously fostering new momentum to break through constraints. Today, Shenzhen gathers top global innovation resources, accelerating the construction of new productive forces and becoming a source and incubator of innovation.
Through 45 years of weathering storms and bearing fruits, the successful practice of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone has accumulated valuable experience, deepened our understanding of the laws governing the construction of socialist special economic zones with Chinese characteristics, and further strengthened our confidence and determination to forge ahead on the new journey and achieve greatness in the new era.
“Special economic zones should not only continue to exist but should be made better and raised to higher levels.” The important speech delivered at the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone is inspiring.
The mission is glorious, and the responsibility is significant. To build a special economic zone for the new era, to build a pilot demonstration zone for socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to build one of the central cities and core engines of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area—a grand blueprint has been drawn, a strategic path clarified, and ardent expectations placed upon Shenzhen.
Remaining true to the original aspiration and steadfast in the mission. To fulfill the mission tasks assigned to Shenzhen, it is essential to vigorously carry forward and promote the great spirit of the Party, the spirit of reform and opening up, and the spirit of the special economic zone, consistently relying on comprehensive deepening of reform, expanding high-level opening up, and promoting comprehensive innovation to form a continuous stream of development momentum.
Standing at the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and embarking on the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, Shenzhen must, from a political, overall, and strategic perspective, comprehensively, systematically, and deeply study and implement the important speeches and instructions, and more profoundly grasp the decisive significance of the “Two Establishments,” more consciously enhance the “Four Consciousnesses,” strengthen the “Four Confidences,” and achieve the “Two Safeguards,” resolutely taking the lead and bravely serving as the vanguard in the great practice of advancing Chinese modernization.
Adhere to relying on reform. In comprehensively deepening reform, Shenzhen has more autonomy and greater space for reform and innovation, but also faces more challenges and heavier tasks. It must firmly grasp the correct direction, emancipate the mind, uphold fundamentals while innovating, make good use of the key measure of comprehensive reform pilot programs, promote comprehensive deepening of reform in breadth and depth, excel in making breakthroughs in key areas and critical links,
