The Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on Aug 18 issued a document about building the southern city of Shenzhen into a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Shenzhen will be demonstrating China’s high quality and sustainable development, rule of law, civilization, and people’s livelihood, according to the document. Citizens considered the plan greatly in favor of Shenzhen.

Efforts will be made to accelerate the implementation of innovation-driven development and construction of a modern industrial system, promote modernization of social governance, and enhance the social construction of ideology, according to the document.

The plan also proposed further boosting Shenzhen’s cultural industries and tourism, upgrading education and medical care, improving the social security system and building a new pattern for green development.

By 2025, Shenzhen will become one of the leading cities in the world in terms of economic strength and quality of development. Its research and development input, industrial innovation capacity, and the quality of its public services and ecological environment will be first-rate in the world, according to the document.

By 2035, Shenzhen will become a national model of high-quality development, as well as a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity with international influence.

By mid-21st century, the city will become one of the top cities in the world and a global pacesetter with outstanding competitiveness, innovative capacity and influence, said the document.

The milestone document will have a profound influence on the city’s future development, said Chen Shaolei, a senior officer at Shenzhen Party School.

Shenzhen Special Economic Zone has been an important gate of China and turned into a modern metropolis after the reform and opening-up, an achievement that will be demonstrated to the world with the strategic guidance and institutional support of the document, Chen said, emphasizing that its political and historic significance should be taken seriously.

Shenzhen is inspired and determined to march toward a higher goal and keep progressing for more development miracles, Chen added.

Head of the China Center for Special Economic Zone Research at Shenzhen University Tao Yitao said a look into history told us that pioneering and pilot trials marked Shenzhen’s characteristics since the beginning of the reform and opening-up. It required courage and wisdom to be the first to implement the reform. Risks and costs will also be part of the testing process, she added.

The CPC Central Committee has recognized Shenzhen’s achievements, Tao said, referring to the upgrade of the pilot area into a demonstration zone.

She said Shenzhen could be an institutional reference in many advancing reform practices, as in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the promotion of an innovative nation and the making of a new opening-up pattern. Others can learn and copy Shenzhen’s experience, she added.

Moreover, Tao underlined the importance of further improving the efficiency of Shenzhen’s social management system and mechanism, and creating a free and competitive business environment.