On the land boundary between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, an old street that has gone through noise and fallen silent has set sail again in the construction boom of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and embarked on a new journey of high-quality development.

Zhongying Street, once a "dividing line" and a "shopping paradise", has experienced ups and downs in the tide of the times, witnessing the century-old destiny of the nation and the magnificent opening-up process.

"One Street, Two Systems": Achieving "Shopping Paradise"

Entering the corner of Zhongying Street from Shatoujiao, Yantian District, Shenzhen, a black and white street sign with the words "Zhongying Street" stands at the door of a Hong Kong goods store. The edge of the square boundary pillar under the road sign has been polished, and the words "Sino-British border" can be vaguely distinguished.

The boundary pillar is now the most popular scenic spot in Zhongying Street. 1899 In March, the Qing government and Britain demarcated the northern border of the New Territories, and Sha Tau Kok was divided into two parts: the Chinese border and the British border. Due to the needs of production and life of residents on both sides, this 250-meter-long and 34-meter-wide Zhongying Street has gradually formed along the "Sino-British dividing line".

As a native villager, Sha Jintao, who was born in 1946, remembers that when he was a child, the inland side of Zhongying Street was a sparsely populated village. Most villagers live on agriculture and fishing, but there are many shops and enterprises here in Hong Kong.

At that time, there was a state-owned store in Zhongying Street, and Sha Jintao became a clerk after graduating from middle school. Because of this "business" experience, at the beginning of reform and opening up, he was sent to the newly established "Enterprise Office" in Shatoujiao Town to engage in investment promotion.

Developing economy has become the central task of Sha Tau Kok. Introducing foreign capital, opening factories and developing business ... When describing this development process, Sha Jintao's pride is beyond words. "Sha Tau Kok took the lead in raising the banner of trade reform in the country, making Zhongying Street the forefront of reform and opening up at that time." He said.

In 1980s, Zhongying Street became a "shopping paradise" by virtue of its special geographical location and tax-free advantages adjacent to Hong Kong. The area is only 0. 17 square kilometers, and there are more than 654.38+million tourists a day during the peak period.

Rise and fall: witness the development of opening to the outside world

Today, Zhongying Street is already a historical and cultural block. After a hundred years of boundary markers, the alarm of patriotism, the museum displaying the old things exchanged between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and the fish lantern dance with Hakka characteristics have all become the new "business cards" of Zhongying Street.

In July, 2003, the State Council allowed mainland residents to travel to Hong Kong freely, so that mainland consumers could experience a real "shopping paradise". The passenger flow of Zhongying Street continued to decline, from the peak daily average of 6.5438+million to less than 1 10,000 people. In 2005, Sha Jintao ushered in a new job as the director of Zhongying Street Community Neighborhood Committee. At that time, he was anxious about "counterfeiting" every day. Due to the decrease in passenger flow, some businesses have started to maintain profits, and Zhongying Street once became synonymous with fakes.

In Sha Jintao's view, Zhongying Street has been a window for people to understand the outside world for a long time. With the increasingly opening up of the country and the rapid development of the national economy, the window function of Zhongying Street has gradually lost, and recession is inevitable. "Now as long as there is a mobile phone in hand, what can't I buy? Where can I come to Zhongying Street? " Sha Jintao said.

Rise of "Tide" City: Join hands with Greater Bay Area to build a new trend.

Today, Sha Jintao, who is over 70 years old, is still busy. His new identity is the president of Yantian Association in Hong Kong.

Since its establishment more than four years ago, the Friendship Association has developed more than 4,000 members. It is Sha Jintao's wish to let members become the "adhesive" for talent exchange in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He hopes to find new development opportunities for Zhongying Street and Sha Tau Kok.

Driven by Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's development plan, Sha Tau Kok has become "hot" again, showing a new round of rising posture and being given a new position-Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Tourism Consumption Cooperation Zone. This is one of the key tasks for Shenzhen to promote the construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area on 20 19.

Yang Jun, the mayor of Yantian District, Shenzhen, introduced that Sha Tau Kok Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Tourism Consumption Cooperation Zone will focus on the main function of "tourism+consumption" and build a model of livable, business-friendly and tourism-friendly regional development that integrates cross-border tourism cooperation zone, pioneer of international business consumption, pilot platform of Shenzhen-Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area deep cooperation demonstration zone.

"Sha Tau Kok used to be very trendy in Shenzhen and even the whole country. Now we must keep up with the new' tidal' construction in Greater Bay Area and make great efforts. " Sha Jintao said.

According to the data, in 20 18, Yantian District where Sha Tau Kok is located achieved a regional GDP of 6127.6 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7. 1%. A modern industrial system led by life and health, artificial intelligence, finance, high-end shipping services and other industries has been initially established, with the tertiary industry accounting for nearly 86%.

We will grasp the general trend of development, seize the historical opportunity and strive to realize the blueprint of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's development here, said Chen Qing, secretary of Yantian District Committee.