【明報專訊】ON July 24 the Central Comprehensively Deepening Reforms Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) accorded the status of "pilot, exemplary area" to Shenzhen. Though the move was of no real significance concerning the city's position in the administrative hierarchy, its symbolic significance should not be ignored. The implications of the move, made by the CPC at such a historical juncture, for Hong Kong deserve to be studied in detail by the Hong Kong SAR government as well as different sectors of the city, and they should rouse themselves to play catch‑up. Sooner or later Hong Kong will be marginalised if it fails to make progress.