Editor’s Note: On Aug. 18, 2019, China unveiled a plan on implementing reforms in Shenzhen to transform the city into a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics. To commemorate this endeavor, we are presenting a series of stories that highlight the city’s progress in achieving this ambitious goal. Chang Zhipeng 57589527@qq.com ON July 26, the Shenzhen Municipal Justice Bureau issued a joint venture license to the collaborative office operated by Guangdong Zhiheng Law Firm and Celeblaws, P. A. in Qianhai. This marks the establishment of the first Sino-foreign law firm joint office in Guangdong. This event also makes Qianhai the second area in China to host a Sino-foreign law firm joint office. This development breaks previous barriers where cross-border legal services could only be provided by Chinese lawyers for Chinese clients and by foreign lawyers for foreign clients. This breakthrough is the result of Qianhai’s innate commitment to pioneering reforms in various sectors. Countless firsts On Jan. 18, the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone (Qianhai Authority) announced 10 major initiatives for international medical services in 2023. These initiatives include the introduction of the nation’s first policy supporting the development of medical institutions from Hong Kong and Macao, as well as the authorization of the first Hong Kong nurse to practice cross-border in Qianhai, among others. As early as 2012, Qianhai recognized the significance of cross-border mutual recognition of professional qualifications and began exploring relevant policies and measures. In 2020, Qianhai took the lead in the country by issuing the first normative document specifically aimed at the qualification recognition of Hong Kong professionals in the engineering and construction sectors on the mainland. This marked the substantial implementation of the cross-border professional qualification mutual recognition mechanism. Since then, Qianhai has continually expanded the scope of mutual recognition to encompass more professional fields and qualifications. As of now, Qianhai has enabled 24 types of professionals from Hong Kong and Macao, including architects, engineers, tax accountants, and tour guides, to practice in the area after registering. These cross-border practice measures have enhanced cooperation and exchanges between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Consequently, an increasing number of Hong Kong professionals are choosing to work in Qianhai to further their careers, and more Hong Kong enterprises are participating in construction projects in the area. Together, these professionals and firms are injecting new vitality into Qianhai’s economic and social development. Currently, Qianhai is home to nearly 10,000 Hong Kong enterprises, and more than 10,000 Hong Kong residents live and work in the area. Francis Law, one of the first Hong Kong jurors appointed by the Qianhai Cooperation Zone People’s Court, participated in the first Hong Kong-related case decided by the court in accordance with Hong Kong law. Law believes that Qianhai is playing a leading role in international dispute resolution in China and that insights from Hong Kong can help Qianhai and Shenzhen enterprises expand into global markets. Non-stop innovation According to a report released July 16 by the Free Trade Zone Research Institute at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, Qianhai ranks first in institutional innovation among China’s 57 free trade zone areas. Notably, this marks the third consecutive year that Qianhai has topped the list. To date, Qianhai has launched 835 institutional innovation measures, 94 of which have been promoted nationwide. In June of last year, Qianhai-based SmartMore launched SMore LrMo, the first industrial large model development and application base in the intelligent manufacturing sector, which has brought revolutionary changes to the industry. “One of our clients, a large computing center, has reduced their big model training costs by 40% using our SMore LrMo product,” a senior member of SmartMore highlighted. Qianhai also provides robust support for major innovation initiatives in areas such as 5G, artificial intelligence, cyberspace science and technology, life sciences, and biomedicine, thereby strengthening the foundation for scientific and technological innovation. These continuous innovative measures have spurred the economic growth of the area and its enterprises. In the first half of this year, Qianhai’s GDP reached 121.38 billion yuan (US$16.9 billion), a year-on-year increase of 7.1%. Additionally, the total volume of imports and exports reached 325.41 billion yuan, a significant increase of 55.8%. | 