On Dec 31, the inaugural ceremony of The Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies (GCCS) and Shenzhen Institute of Data Economy (SIDE) of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) and the theme forum of "Qianhai Development and Important Tasks of the Times" were held in Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub.

In order to serve the nation’s fundamental principles to accelerate the cultivation of the data factor market, and to promote the construction and development of data economy in Shenzhen, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and even the whole of China, CUHK-Shenzhen established SIDE. The Institute has gathered a contingent of world-class faculty members from the School of Management and Economics (SME), the School of Data Science (SDS) and other related schools of CUHK-Shenzhen. It is also jointly built by leading experts from the government and related industries. The inaugural Academic Dean of the institute is Prof. Xiong Wei. It is reported that SIDE will carry out theoretical research and practical exploration in the field of data economy, analyze and study the challenges and countermeasures in the development of the data economy, and promote the rapid development of the data economy industry in Shenzhen, GBA and even the whole of China.

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delivered a video speech, and Wang Weizhong, Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee delivered a written speech. Huang Min, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and member of the Party Leadership Group of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government; Secretary of CPC Work Committee and Director General of the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, and Xu Yangsheng, President of CUHK-Shenzhen, attended the ceremony and jointly unveiled the plaques of GCCS and SIDE.

Huang Min, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee (Left 3), Xu Yangsheng, President of CUHK-Shenzhen (Left 4) unveiled the plaques

Carrie Lam mentioned that 2020 is the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone. The 6-year establishment of CUHK-Shenzhen has become a successful role model of Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation. The Administration Bureau of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone and CUHK-Shenzhen will join hand in hand to become an advantageous platform for Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation. The establishment of The Institute will surely bring enlightening policy innovations. Chinese President Xi Jinping has placed high hopes on the construction of the GBA and has put forward clear requirements for Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation. Hong Kong should capitalize on its advantages under the "one country, two systems",  and explore space for collaboration with Shenzhen in more fields to jointly promote the construction of GBA and make more positive contributions on deepening the integration of Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperative development.

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delivered a video speech

Wang Weizhong mentioned that, CUHK-Shenzhen is a highlight regarding higher education in Shenzhen and a role model of cooperation between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong in the integration and development of higher education. CUHK-Shenzhen established GCCS and SIDE in Qianhai, which will surely provide an important intellectual support for the construction of "dual-zone". It is hoped that Qianhai and CUHK-Shenzhen will firmly seize the major historical opportunities in the construction of the GBA, the Shenzhen Pilot Demonstration Zone, and the implementation of supporting Shenzhen to pilot the comprehensive authorized reform measures. Together, they will give full play to their respective advantages, deepen strategic cooperation, and jointly build Qianhai’s international high-end think tanks. The purpose is to promote the high-quality development of Shenzhen with high-quality research results, and strive to make new and greater contributions in building Shenzhen into a demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics, a city example of great modern socialist country and to take the lead in achieving China’s socialist modernization.

Wang Weizhong, Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee delivered a written speech

Prof. Xu Yangsheng, President of CUHK-Shenzhen, commented in his speech that this inaugural ceremony marks a milestone in the cooperation between CUHK-Shenzhen and Qianhai, and is a good start for cooperation between both parties. From the signing of the agreement on Dec 7 to the inaugural ceremony of today, within 25 days, this has shown the courage and efficiency of Qianhai. Chinese President Xi Jinping has placed high hopes on Qianhai, and we are also full of expectations for Qianhai, and full of confidence in future cooperation.

Prof. Xu Yangsheng basically introduced the two institutes. GCCS adheres to the concept of "studying the world, exploring the way forward, understanding the principles of nature, and concerning pragmatism to govern the state". It is a comprehensive and think tank-type social science research institution compatible with talent training, academic exchange and policy research. It is also an international academic exchange platform compatible with Shenzhen- Hong Kong integration, international situation, and even global development research. The founding dean of the Institute is Prof. Zheng Yongnian; SIDE is committed to the cultivation of the data factor market, focusing on the protection of data privacy, the boundaries of data commercialization, the ownership of data, the capitalization of data, and the research on data transaction mechanisms. Combined with theoretical research, it is committed to carrying out practical exploration in the field of data economy, and it strives to build a world-class data economy research platform. The founding academic dean of The Institute is Prof. Xiong Wei.

Xu Yangsheng, President of CUHK-Shenzhen delivered a speech

Prof. Xu Yangsheng commented that there are three meanings of this inaugural ceremony:
The first is to carry out new pioneering practices at a new historical point. The GBA is a national strategy, and Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation is the highlight and breakthrough in the construction of the GBA. Qianhai, as a "special district in the special zone", shoulders the historical mission of building a new platform for Guangdong-Hong Kong cooperation and Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation. Qianhai strategically needs a steady stream of intellectual support. Our two research institutes study and implement strategies from the perspectives of globalization and economic development. In the future, they will further promote regional development deeply and widely.

The second is to open up new space for imagination at a new historical point. The inaugural ceremony of these two institutes is a good start for the cooperation between both. In the future, we will achieve solid progress in the cooperation and continue to explore the deep integration of Shenzhen-Hong Kong in the fields of education, medical care, the legal system, innovation, and technology. CUHK-Shenzhen has such a blend of genes, experience, and abilities, which is also our bounden responsibility.

The third is to open up a new development pattern at a new historical point. CUHK-Shenzhen plays a leading role in Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools and is a successful role model of Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation. The cooperation between the two parties will definitely achieve mutual benefits, a win-win situation, and common developments. It is hoped that this cooperation can promote to form a modern service industry cooperation zone with a high degree of internationalization and leading roles in boosting regional development in Qianhai and provide more experience that would be replicable and scalable for Shenzhen and the China mainland.

"I have confidence in these projects, in our cooperation, and especially in Qianhai.  In the future, Qianhai must be China's window and the focus of the world!"

Prof. Zheng Yongnian, Dean of GCCS, delivered a speech

Prof. Zheng Yongnian, Dean of GCCS, gave a keynote speech on the "Third Opening" at the inaugural ceremony. Prof. Zheng Yongnian commented that 2021 is the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan and also our "first century", that is, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. This will become a new starting point for the development of our country. The China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment is undoubtedly a landmark, heralding China's third opening.

Prof. Zheng Yongnian pointed out that the goal of the third opening is not only the traditional quantity and quality of investment and trade, technological upgrading and innovation, but more importantly, all aspects of China’s influence and rule-making power. The competition for the right to formulate rules is the core of today's international competition, and it is the core of future China-US competition.

How to combine the dual-circulation to consider the competition of the rules is meaningful. The core of the internal circulation is to unify the domestic rules. We need to promote our internal circulation through the unification of the rules. External circulation is the internationalization of Chinese rules. First, reform the existing unreasonable international rules while integrating with existing international rules. Second, the interests and concerns of other countries should be fully considered when formulating internal rules. Third, we must consciously transform huge market forces into feasible rules.

Prof. Zheng Yongnian expressed that he hopes that the third opening will begin in this year’s 14th Five-Year Plan. We build on the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and begin to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). We turn from a rule learner to a rule maker. By 2050, we will surely become the strongest country in the world that people favor.

Group Photo

After the inaugural ceremony, the theme forum of "Qianhai Development and The Important Task of the Times" forum was held in Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub. Zhang Laiwu, Dean of Institute for Six-sector Economy, Fudan University, former Vice Minister of Ministry of Science and Technology, Director-General of Research Association of China Soft Science Magazine, Wang Jingsheng, Counselor of the State Council, former member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, former Head of the Propaganda Department of Shenzhen, Tang Jie, Board Member of CUHK-Shenzhen, Former Vice Mayor of Shenzhen, Yu Hongjun, former Head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee,  Member of The 12th National Committee of CPPCC, Invited Expert of SanDisk Forums, He Yafei, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Deputy Director of Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, Liu Limin, former Deputy Minister of Education, President of China Education Association for International Exchange all made keynote speeches. 

Translation: Ella

Proofreading: Fiona, Claire