Hong Kong and Shenzhen Married?

Hong Kong's current hot political potato is talk of integrating Hong Kong and Shenzhen into one mega metropolis, in an effort to rival the likes of Los Angleles and London. Hong Kong, concerned that it will turn into 'just another Chinese city, is looking for ways to keep its prestige and place on the international stage. At the 10th Hong Kong Handover Anniversary in June 2007, concerns about the city losing international stature, topped polls on Hong Kong's progress.

Shenzhen, just across the Hong Kong/China border, has long been one of China's economic success stories and the two cities have already become significatly integrated, from trade to people living in Shenzhen and working in Hong Kong. However, the idea to create one large mega city is a new one and has been received lukewarmly in Hong Kong. Fears about the effect it would have on Hong Kong's 'one country, two systems' policy as welll as concerns about the effect a merger could have on crime levels in Hong Kong, seem to make this a long engagment.