Swimming to Hong Kong
Before 1980, the money a farmer could earn in Shenzhen was between 0.7 Yuan(USD 0.1) to 1.2 Yuan(USD 0.18). On the other side of Shenzhen river, a farmer in Hong Kong could earn between 60 HKD(USD 7.72) to 70 HKD(USD 9.01). The great economic disparity pushed locals to jump into the water at night, hoping to reach the land of happiness on the other side. Many locals made it, but also many failed. Those who failed, tried again and again until they gave up. In 1978, 97,000 people illegally tried to enter Hong Kong, but only 1,8000 people managed to stay there.
Jianqiu Zhen,a Shenzhen native, tells me the story of his mother. His mother was one of them who secretly tried to swim to Hong Kong from Shenzhen. She finally landed in Hong Kong on her third attempt. But after few days, she was repatriated back to Shenzhen. At that time, in 1979, she decided to stay at her hometown, because she could see the changes and possible happiness ahead.
Getting Rich
Now, Jianqiu Zhen's family has over 1,2000 Yuan(USD 1780) monthly income simply from renting out their 6 apartments to migrant workers. The natives like them get rich by building apartments for the people pouring from all over country to Shenzhen or by renting out their land to factories and companies.
Hong Kong now welcomes Shenzhen residents. In 2009, residents or natives like Jianqiu Zhen could have unlimited passes to visit Hong Kong within a year with the cost of 100yuan(USD 15). This new rule is now only applied to Shenzhen residents. Why? The answer is the purchasing power or the pontential purchasing power of Shenzhen people. It is the richest city in China in terms of disposable income 28,838 Yuan(USD 4329.8025).
Resources
Shenzhen eases rules on residents' travel to HKChina’s Wealthiest Cities – Highest Disposable Income
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