Luohu at night. Luohu District has unveiled an ambitious five-year development plan centered on the creation of the “Seven Luohus,” as the historic Shenzhen district seeks to overcome development constraints, strengthen its industrial base and improve residents’ quality of life. File photo

Luohu District has unveiled an ambitious five-year development plan centered on the creation of the “Seven Luohus,” as the historic Shenzhen district seeks to overcome development constraints, strengthen its industrial base and improve residents’ quality of life.

The plan was announced at the opening of the Ninth Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Luohu District Committee of Shenzhen. Zuo Jinping, secretary of the CPC Luohu District Committee, delivered a report reviewing the district’s development over the past five years and outlining its priorities for the next five.

Known as the birthplace of many of Shenzhen’s “national firsts,” the district where the “Story of Spring” was written and the location of three major land ports linking Shenzhen and Hong Kong, Luohu has undergone more than four decades of rapid development.

Over the past five years, the district has faced the difficult transition from traditional growth drivers to new ones. Despite the challenges, it has accelerated industrial upgrading, cultivated emerging sectors and deepened cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

“Seven Luohus” set new development direction

The new development framework consists of: new-quality Luohu, innovation-driven Luohu, pioneering Luohu, leisure and livable Luohu, gateway Luohu, vibrant Luohu, and happy Luohu

The framework is intended to serve both as the district’s development vision for the next five years and as a response to its existing advantages and emerging opportunities.

The seven goals cover industrial competitiveness, technological innovation, institutional reform, urban connectivity, cultural development and public well-being. Together, they form a comprehensive strategy for Luohu’s transition from building momentum to achieving broader and more balanced growth.

Under the framework, new-quality Luohu and innovation-driven Luohu will provide industrial and technological support. Pioneering Luohu and gateway Luohu will expand the district’s institutional and spatial capacity. Gateway Luohu and livable and vibrant Luohu will unlock new development potential, while happy Luohu will remain the ultimate focus of all development efforts.

The report also identified 10 key areas of work to translate the vision into concrete action.

Upgrading traditional industries

In finance, Luohu will consolidate its position in headquarters finance while developing digital finance, insurance innovation and private equity funds.

The commerce sector will accelerate innovation in business formats and move toward greater digitalization, intelligence and platform-based development.

Professional services, including legal, accounting and human resources services, will be benchmarked against international standards to improve their capabilities.

The gold and jewelry industry will shift from large-scale manufacturing toward greater value creation. Shuibei will be developed into the “China Jewelry Capital” with global influence.

Developing emerging industries

In software, information technology and artificial intelligence, Luohu will capitalize on opportunities created by the open-source Hongmeng ecosystem and develop the Qingshuihe artificial intelligence cluster.

In life sciences, health and biomedicine, the district will work with the Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology to develop “one center and one base.”

In commercial space and aviation, Luohu will improve the industrial chain with “two rockets, four satellites and one network” as its core.

Linking technological and industrial innovation

Luohu’s diverse application scenarios, industrial demand and established support services are expected to provide a strong foundation for technological innovation.

The district will pursue a “lightweight, integrated and scenario-based” innovation model and develop a full-process innovation ecosystem to support high-quality growth.

Enterprises will play a stronger leading role in technological innovation, while Luohu will establish a high-level system of innovation platforms. Existing platforms, including the Shenzhen Center for Disruptive Technology Innovation and the Sino-European Innovation Center for Medicine and Health, will continue to operate. The district will also strengthen links with major research institutes and universities and support the creation of new research and development institutions.

Improving education, healthcare and housing

Luohu will continue to deepen new-quality education reform and build a high-quality education system across the district.

It will also advance medical reform 3.0, promote innovative applications of “AI plus medical and health services,” expand inclusive childcare and accelerate the development of integrated home-based elderly care services.

The district will improve the supply of affordable housing through multiple channels and establish a housing guarantee system covering “a bed, a room and an apartment.” The system will focus on the needs of new residents, young people and migrant workers.