The third session of the 13th National People's Congress opened on May 21st. The members of the CPPCC National Committee in Guangdong are proactively raising proposals for GBA construction, suggesting that Shenzhen should be encouraged to pilot a skilled migration system, and a judicial cooperation platform should be established within the GBA.

Establish a occupation list and a score-based evaluation system for skilled immigrants

Li Xin, a national CPPCC member, vice chairman of the CPPCC of Guangdong, raised the proposal of supporting Shenzhen in establishing a pilot zone for skilled migration.

Li explained that the city has received policy support at the country level on skilled immigration. For example, the outline plan for GBA construction illustrates how Guangdong will pilot a skilled migration system in nine cities of the Pearl River Delta.

Shenzhen is encouraged to implement more preferential residence policies for overseas talent. International talent with permanent residence permits are allowed to establish technology-based enterprises and to be registered as legal representatives of scientific research institutions in Shenzhen.

The pilot zone in Shenzhen will serve as a model for other cities in the GBA to explore skilled migration. Hence, Shenzhen should be given greater autonomy in managing its overseas talent, offering them more convenience in applying for either work permits or permanent residence.

She also suggested an occupation list and a score-based evaluation system for skilled immigrants, so that they can join or restore Chinese nationality more conveniently. All primary and secondary schools in Shenzhen should be open to the children of overseas talent, or international classes should be set up.

Establish a judicial cooperation platform in the GBA

Xiong Shuilong, a national CPPCC member, vice chairman of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Associaton, proposed to speed up the establishment of a dispute settlement cooperation system in the GBA.

He suggested that the GBA should work out a set of unified regulations to settle disputes, based on current agreements and the experience from other regions, such as the European Union, so as to better make use of the existing dispute settlement centers (Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Hong Kong Arbitration Center, Nansha International Arbitration Centre and Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration).

According to his proposal, the central government should authorized Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to sign a judicial cooperation agreement. A joint judicial panel meeting should be held regularly to discuss, negotiate and solve problems in cooperation between the three regions. Business restrictions on lawyers and law firms in the three areas should also be eased.

Author: Will, Zoey

Editor: Simon