SHENZHEN—At a recent forum, scholars discussed many topics including deepening the economic reform in Shenzhen, establishing Shenzhen as a leading player in highquality urban development, pursuing international cooperation and the joint construction of the GuangdongHong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Wu Yihuan, vice mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, said that after 40 years of endeavors, the city has seen comprehensive improvement in its social and economic development. Shenzhen has carried out useful exploration and made significant contributions to China’s economic reform, opening up and socialist modernization. Since socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, China has been faced with new challenges. That is why China has assigned the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) a new historical mission.

Gao Shangquan, honorary president of the China Society of Economic Reform, said that the term “Chinese characteristics” carries four essential connotations: putting people first, developing the market economy, pursuing common prosperity and developing socialist democracy.

Wang Jingsheng, counselor of the State Council, said that the central government has given Shenzhen a new mission by building it into a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics, an updated version of the SEZ.

Tian Guoqiang, a professor at the Institute for Advanced Research of the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, said that both theory and practice indicate the government should play an effective role in leading the market, and Shenzhen should stick to its lead as a pilot demonstration area.

Wang Jun, a research fellow at the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences, said that recent surveys show that Shenzhen is among the cities with the most favorable business environment in Guangdong Province. The central government has posed higher requirements on Shenzhen by building it into a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Tao Yitao, a professor at the China Center for Special Economic Zone Research at Shenzhen University, said that while China deepens its reform and builds the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen has to take up the mission of leading the country’s transition from an export-driven economy to a consumption-driven economy. The key to whether or not Shenzhen will be able to complete the mission lies in the public’s mindset. Although thinking is not able to change the society directly, it will change the people themselves, who in turn will change the society. To lead the way as a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Shenzhen needs to undergo a profound transformation.