Shenzhen has set its GDP growth target at around 7 percent for 2019, Mayor Chen Rugui said while delivering a government work report at the opening meeting of the seventh plenary session of the 6th Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress on the morning of January 18.

The construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will be one of Shenzhen's key task in 2019, said Chen. The city will establish a Greater Bay Area cooperation demonstration zone at Qianhai.

According to the work report, this year's target for job creation is 80,000 and the registered urban unemployment rate under 3%. Also, the city will initiate the construction of 80,000 government-subsidized apartments this year. It will offer 20,000 kindergarten seats and over 30,000 seats in public primary and middle schools.

Chen also summarized that 2018 was a fruitful year for Shenzhen. The city's GDP is estimated to reach over 2.4 trillion yuan last year, with a year-on-year growth of 7.5 percent. The city's economic aggregate ranks in the top five cities in Asia.

More than 490 lawmakers gather for the annual session of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress (MPC), the city's legislature, which opens today (January 18) and runs through January 22, to discuss hot issues concerning Shenzhen's urban development and people's livelihood, reported by Shenzhen Daily.

From national strategies and urban development policies to social issues that relate to the citizens' direct interests, the lawmakers' proposals carry weight and present many focal points, aiming to chart a blueprint for the city's development in 2019.

During the five-day meeting, MPC deputies will review the government work report and reports by the local court, procuratorate and the Standing Committee of the MPC, as well as the city's planned budget report.

Reported by Will

Edited by Wing