On October 15, 2025, a research team from the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences visited the China Special Economic Zone Research Center at Shenzhen University for research and a symposium. During the symposium, both sides discussed Shenzhen's reform practices in scientific and technological innovation, policymaking, and international development. Both sides agreed that continued academic exchanges and practical cooperation can provide new ideas and directions for comprehensively deepening reform.
At the symposium, Professor Yi Zelong, Director of the China Special Economic Zone Research Center, introduced the participants to the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences research team and presented the Center's research findings in the history of reform and opening up and the development of special economic zones. Professor Yi Zelong emphasized that the Center's fruitful achievements in reform and opening up and special economic zone research have not only provided valuable experience for the development of special economic zones in China, but also provided important reference for the development of special economic zones globally.
Professor Yi Zelong, Director of the China Special Economic Zone Research Center at Shenzhen University, spoke.
Bai Guoqiang, Director of the Institute of Marxism at the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences, highly praised the research achievements of the Special Economic Zone Research Center and introduced the basic situation of the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences and the core topics of this research. He emphasized that Shenzhen, as a frontier of reform and opening up, has innovative ideas, practical experience, and advanced practices that are of great reference value and worthy of in-depth discussion and study.
Bai Guoqiang, Director of the Institute of Marxism at the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences, spoke.
Professor Yuan Yiming of the China Special Economic Zone Research Center systematically reviewed the development path and key reform measures of Shenzhen's science and technology industry during the seminar. He emphasized that 1995 was a key turning point in the development of Shenzhen's science and technology industry. At that time, innovative mechanisms such as technology equity investment broke through institutional barriers, providing important impetus for the rise of science and technology enterprises. In addition, institutions such as the Shenzhen Tsinghua University Research Institute played an important role in technology transfer and incubation. Scholars from both sides then discussed other measures and characteristics of Shenzhen's science and technology industry development reform.
Professor Yuan Yiming of the China Special Economic Zone Research Center at Shenzhen University spoke.
Professor Yun Wenjie of the China Special Economic Zone Research Center focused on Shenzhen's comprehensive reform pilot projects and systematically reviewed 48 replicable and scalable experiences. He pointed out that these experiences, centered on "market-based allocation of factors" and "optimizing the business environment," cover economic, social, and legal sectors, effectively addressing development challenges. Professor Li Fan, Deputy Director of the China Special Economic Zone Research Center at Shenzhen University, noted at the symposium that Shenzhen has leveraged technological innovation to manage new social groups (such as food delivery drivers) and has promoted the concepts of "patient capital" and "strategic capital" in industrial investment. This not only prioritizes support for emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, but also takes into account social public welfare.
Chen Yanbo, Deputy Director of the Institute of Marxism at the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences, analyzed the issues of scientific and technological achievement transfer in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Ou Minghua, Associate Researcher at the Institute of Marxism at the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences, offered insights on population, energy, and public resource supply issues in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. At the conclusion of the symposium, Professor Yi Zelong summarized the discussion, emphasizing that while Shenzhen is a leader in reform, it still needs to confront and address many existing issues.
This visit by the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences not only provided an in-depth study of Shenzhen's reforms but also promoted academic collaboration between the two cities. During the seminar, both sides reached consensus on policy research and experience sharing, charting a new path for future exploration of innovative urban development.
China Special Economic Zone Research Center, Shenzhen University
October 15, 2025
Editor | Chen Qiao
Reviewer | Li Fan
Final Reviewer | Yi Zelong
