Thanks to the advantages of the special economic zone and innovation in the market economy, Shenzhen people have made a significant contribution to China's modernization and building of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The city has contributed more than RMB 700 billion in tax to the central budget over the past 30 years. In the meantime, based on a spirit of mutual aid, Shenzhen has donated funds and material worth about RMB 7.5 billion to 66 counties and cities in 10 provinces. In 2007, Shenzhen set up industrial parks in China's other regions to intensify cooperation in infrastructure, energy industry and services.

    Being an export-oriented city, 60 percent of Shenzhen's total industrial output value and export value are produced by enterprises operating with foreign investments. By the end of 2007, 148 of the world's top 500 companies had invested in Shenzhen, through 272 projects. The city's total export value increased from US $9.3 million in 1979 to US $168.493 billion in 2007. Up to 50 percent of the people and 80 percent of the vehicles entering and exiting China do so from this coastal city. Over the past three decades, Shenzhen has significantly narrowed its gap with Hong Kong, laying an economic foundation for the establishment of the HK-Shenzhen megalopolis and further cooperation on both sides.

    Innovation has also brought about spiritual wealth. As the city develops rapidly, people pay more attention to their inner world and spiritual well-being, and local officials are determined to build Shenzhen into a modern cultural city after their great success in boosting its economy. Tens of thousands of Shenzhen citizens join in voluntary activities to make society better, and many emulate their role models such as good policemen and judges, trying their best to help those in need.

    With all these changes, the phenomenon of Shenzhen people "stealing" into Hong Kong has faded into a thing of the past. Instead numerous people from all over the country, including those from Hong Kong, have settled here and are proud to be Shenzhen citizens.

    Shenzhen's experience is, in the ultimate analysis, one of courage. A local citizen says: "Leaders' innovation guides us in going forward." Thirty years ago, Deng Xiaoping and the Chinese reformers raised the curtain of reform and opening-up in this small village. Without any precedent or theories to follow, Shenzhen forged a road towards a socialist market economy with Chinese characteristics. Thirty years' experience has made the city a banner of China's reform and opening-up.