Shenzhen scraps plans to give Qianhai zone greater autonomy

Shenzhen authorities have scrapped bold plans to develop Qianhai, a 15-square-kilometer development zone, into a “mini Hong Kong” with greater legal and administrative autonomy, the South China Morning Post reported. In August 2010, the State Council said Qianhai, an area north of Shekou, would be made into a “Shenzhen-Hong Kong modern service industries co-operation zone” with its own laws, regulations and tax regime. Other plans included introducing a Hong Kong-style independent anti-corruption commission and an ombudsman that would require all senior officials to declare incomes and financial records. On Monday, however, a final version of Qianhai’s administrative regulation approved by the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen’s People’s Congress shelved almost all the experimental measures that were originally promised. Shenzhen authorities have told the Qianhai development zone to concentrate on simply developing its economy instead.