The launch event for the new book Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hetao: Secrets of an Enclave officially kicked off at 11:00 AM on July 18, 2025, in Conference Rooms S423-424 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The book is based on the oral accounts of Zhang Keke, Advisor to the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macau Technology Alliance and Former Full-time Vice Chairman of the Shenzhen Association for Science and Technology, and compiled by Liu Yuhao, Deputy Secretary-General and Associate Research Fellow of the Hong Kong and Macau Research Center at Tsinghua University. Starting with the story of a less-than-one-square-kilometer "enclave" formed after the straightening of the Shenzhen River—the boundary river between Hong Kong and Shenzhen—the book delves into the 40-plus-year-long, complex, and twist-filled journey involving the land's ownership, development positioning, and supporting facilities. Drawing on his years of tracking and participating in Hetao's development, Zhang Keke, as a scholar-official, meticulously studied every critical moment of the project's evolution. Based on a vast collection of well-preserved historical materials, he published the simplified Chinese edition of Oral History of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation: Hetao's Past and Present and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation (Xinhua Publishing House, 2023) in the form of oral history. Earlier this year, at the invitation of Hong Kong Chung Hwa Book Co., he spent months revising the manuscript multiple times, significantly rewriting it into a traditional Chinese edition with a more focused theme: Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hetao: Secrets of an Enclave. The book clearly presents key milestones and noteworthy stories of the Hetao issue over the past 40 years, as well as its landmark significance for Hong Kong-Shenzhen technological cooperation, the vision of the twin cities, and the future of the Greater Bay Area. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand Hetao's past and present, and further grasp the development of the Northern Metropolis and the full picture of Hong Kong-Shenzhen technological collaboration.
The book has received high praise from many industry experts.
The late Woo Chia-wei, founding president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the first Chinese-American university president in the United States, commented on the 2023 simplified Chinese edition of the oral history: "Over the past 30 years, I have had the privilege of witnessing the author's dedicated efforts in promoting Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation and admire his practical contributions to building the future Shenzhen-Hong Kong twin cities. Three hundred thousand words recount the past and present between Hong Kong and Shenzhen—every step, every detail, every first-hand story weaves a little-known true history, worthy of careful reading by our fellow citizens."
Huang Kam-fai, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council (Election Committee), and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, stated: "Zhang Keke is a key driver behind the development of the Lok Ma Chau Hetao area; he played a role in nurturing this land into a cradle for Shenzhen-Hong Kong technological innovation and development. There is no better person to talk about the development of Hetao than him—I believe it would be hard to find someone more familiar with Hetao. This time, starting from the perspective of an 'enclave' is indeed a rarely understood angle."
Duncan Chiu Member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council (Technology and Innovation Sector) and President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, commented: "Hong Kong and Shenzhen have worked hand in hand for 30 years, and Hetao has now become a major national strategy. The book vividly and truthfully records many major events and small stories that everyone participated in, leaving behind valuable historical documents. I believe that the coordinated development of Shenzhen-Hong Kong technological innovation will eventually achieve integration."
During the launch event, the publisher, Hong Kong Chung Hwa Book Co., arranged a dialogue and lecture featuring Mr. Zhang Keke, Member Huang Kam-fai, and Member Duncan Chiu. From multiple perspectives, the three speakers conducted an in-depth analysis of the 40-year-plus complex journey of the Hetao area based on precious historical materials and personal experiences, and discussed its far-reaching significance for Hong Kong's future technological innovation development and Shenzhen-Hong Kong integration.
Duncan Chiu first reviewed the development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen bases and the efforts of both sides, put forward his vision for the future of the "enclave," and hoped that Hong Kong could leverage this "enclave" to develop its own unique industrial advantages.
Based on a wealth of precious historical documents and data he preserved, Zhang Keke, from multiple perspectives, reviewed major development milestones and clearly reconstructed the development process of Hetao after the straightening of the Shenzhen River. He revealed important turning points in different stages, with a focus on elaborating the key guiding and supporting role of the government in coordinating Shenzhen and Hong Kong to promote the establishment of the "Hong Kong-Shenzhen Co-constructed" cooperation zone. He explained how all parties sought consensus amid differences and emphasized that the successful development of this area represents a win-win situation in economy, technological innovation, and people's livelihood. In the face of obstacles, Zhang Keke looked forward to the "institutional building" and the innovative approach of "establishing first, then breaking" in Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation. Based on the actual situation of the two cities, he proposed taking Hetao as an anchor and the Greater Bay Area as a hub to eventually build a collaborative innovation community.
Combining his new book The Road to Hong Kong's Innovation and Technology Development, Huang Kam-fai shared his personal journey in technological development with the audience and discussed the historical development of innovative technology with the support of the governments of both cities. In addition, he reviewed the original development positioning of the Hetao area and the industrial experience of the technology industry there, conducted an in-depth analysis of Hetao's unique advantages as a testing ground for development under "One Country, Two Systems" and a promoter of cross-border cooperation, and assessed its key role in supporting Hong Kong's innovative development.
The development history and future potential of Hetao epitomize Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation and Hong Kong's technological innovation development. Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hetao: Secrets of an Enclave provides a detailed record of this journey. This lecture, which brought together multiple perspectives, offered in-depth analysis of Hetao's future development direction and the expectations for cooperation between the two cities. The three speakers guided the audience through 40 years of historical mist, helping them recognize Hetao's unique value and challenges, and encouraging collective reflection on how this "enclave" can truly become a legendary place that promotes Hong Kong's technological innovation and deepens Shenzhen-Hong Kong integration. The launch event was attended by a gathering of distinguished guests, making it a grand occasion for people from all walks of life in Shenzhen and Hong Kong who care about Hetao's development.
