Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, and President of the People's Republic of China, gave an important speech in Shenzhen on the morning of October 14 to mark the 40th anniversary of the city becoming China’s first-ever special economic zone (SEZ).

A highlight of the celebration lies in an awards ceremony that recognizes 40 exemplary contributors to the SEZ's 40-year developments through innovation or entrepreneurship. The list of honorees includes Professor Yangsheng Xu, President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. After listening to President Xi's speech on the spot, Xu made the following insights and reflections:

1. General Secretary Xi Jinping mentioned in his speech that "we should be attractive to and stay competitive to the outside world". I think this is a very precise statement, which implies the inclusion of more talents. On the whole, the development of the Shenzhen SEZ, including its current positioning as a pilot demonstration zone for socialism with Chinese characteristics, needs to be "attractive". It is self-evident that Shenzhen ought to be more magnetic than other cities to attract more talents, as the whole world is competing with each other. We must explore what our strengths of attractiveness are and what special attraction policies we need to develop.

On the other hand, the “competitive” suggestion is also true. The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen is an international university, and all of its graduates will show the face of China's young generation in the international arena after graduation. Therefore, we need to cultivate talents with strong competitiveness, only with which can China be further powered on the global stage.

2. In his speech, the General Secretary positioned Shenzhen as the engine of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. I think the word "engine" is very well used, as the three regions of the Greater Bay Area cannot be taken forward without an engine. As for how to ensure a well-functioning, I think there are three aspects that we must further explore: first, innovation in science and technology; second, reform of the system, and third, cultivation of human resources. All of these are of great relevance, pushing the engine to function in a truly fundamental sense.

3. What impressed me a lot in the speech of President Xi is "people's livelihood", which is the sole and only interest that the Communist Party of China values. “The people are our blood”, said the General Secretary for many times. In my eyes, it is really a big issue, because the reform and opening up, the construction of SEZ, are all started around people's livelihood. People can easily tell whether a policy is good or bad. Many of our undertakings, whether is medical care, education, service or others, are all centered around people’s life. Therefore, the government of Shenzhen must excel in all efforts related to people's well-being.