Part of Luohu District’s downtown area. Luohu District has unveiled a three-pronged strategy aimed at accelerating growth, upgrading traditional industries and strengthening the district’s role as a gateway linking Shenzhen with Hong Kong, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and global markets. File photo

Luohu District has unveiled a three-pronged strategy aimed at accelerating growth, upgrading traditional industries and strengthening the district’s role as a gateway linking Shenzhen with Hong Kong, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and global markets.

The strategy was presented at the Ninth Party Congress of Luohu District on August 20. The congress report said that the past five years had established a solid foundation for development and that the district was now entering a new phase marked by faster growth and stronger momentum.

New growth drivers

A central element of Luohu’s plan is the development of a “second growth curve” powered by both traditional and emerging industries.

The district plans to use technology to upgrade established sectors, including finance, retail, and gold and jewelry manufacturing. The objective is to move these industries beyond scale-driven growth and toward higher value creation.

In finance, Luohu will focus on digital services and pension-related businesses. Retail development will emphasize first-store economies and cross-border e-commerce, while the gold and jewelry sector will be encouraged to move further up the value chain.

At the same time, Luohu will develop four emerging industries: software and artificial intelligence, health and biotechnology, commercial aerospace and aviation, and energy conservation and environmental protection. The district aims to double the value-added output of its strategic industries.

Luohu will also use the district as a testing ground for technological innovation, an accelerator for commercialization and a showcase for industrial applications, according to the report.

From transit corridor to gateway hub

Luohu’s three major checkpoints handled more than 100 million passenger trips in 2025. However, the district said it would seek to move beyond its traditional role as a transit corridor and develop into a fully integrated gateway hub.

A gold and jewelry mall in Luohu. File photo

One priority is closer Shenzhen-Hong Kong integration. Luohu plans to upgrade its checkpoints and improve the alignment of rules in areas such as employment, healthcare and education. These efforts are intended to facilitate the development of Hong Kong’s professional services in the district while helping local companies access international resources through Hong Kong.

The district also plans to deepen industrial cooperation with cities across the Pearl River Delta. Measures will include piloting a “Luohu services plus Shenshan manufacturing” model and establishing long-term mechanisms for sharing the costs and benefits of joint industrial park development.

On the international front, Luohu will make use of the Asia-Pacific SME Cooperation Zone to attract high-end industries and support local companies seeking to expand overseas.

A district defined by history, vitality and warmth

The report also set out a vision for Luohu as a district that combines historical character with modern development, entrepreneurial energy with a high quality of daily life.

To capitalize on annual cross-border passenger flows of more than 100 million people, Luohu plans to link ports, commercial districts, parks and other destinations through a consumption framework described as “two corridors, five circles, and N streets and lanes.” The aim is to turn high visitor numbers into greater economic value.

With limited land resources, the district will pursue intensive, green and high-quality development through more detailed urban management. Planned measures include the self-renovation of old residential communities, the revitalization of underused spaces and the creation of stronger connections among eight parks to bring green areas closer to residents.

The district also pledged further investment in education, healthcare, housing and elderly care. These efforts are intended to deliver more tangible improvements to residents’ well-being and ensure access to quality schools, hospitals and care services.

Seven goals for next five years

Over the next five years, Luohu aims to develop into what it calls a “new Luohu, innovation-driven Luohu, pioneering Luohu, leisure and livable Luohu, gateway Luohu, vibrant Luohu, and happy Luohu.”

To achieve these goals, the district will pursue breakthroughs in ten areas, including innovation, intelligent development, the tapping of new potential, pioneering reforms, regional integration, refined governance, cultural development, public welfare, grassroots capacity and urban resilience.

The report acknowledged that the vision would require sustained effort and concrete action. It concluded with a call for determination and hard work to create new advantages and build a new Luohu.