Shenzhen is pressing for central government approval of incentives aimed at keeping the special economic zone competitive in attracting foreign investment.
Mayor Li Zibin yesterday said he made a personal appeal to premier Li Peng over the proposals last week when the leader inspected Shenzhen before attending a special economic zones conference in Zhuhai.
The suggested incentives relate to aspects of trade investment, banking and border control.
Shenzhen and other special economic zones are eager to maintain their attractiveness to foreign investors, especially as their special status is being eroded by China's decision to gradually phase out their preferential treatment.
Shenzhen could still take a lead in trying out new proposals in economic reforms to attract overseas and Hong Kong investment, Mr Li said.
'We have put forward a number of concrete proposals to the State Council. But before we can introduce them, they must have central approval,' he said after the opening session of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Political Consultative Conference.
But the Mayor refused to divulge the details of the new incentives, saying some of plans were sensitive.