As companies continue to expand into Asia and China, reshape their organizational structures, relocate their plants and enter new markets, they create cross-border opportunities for talented professionals.

HONG KONG — Investors are snapping up property near a proposed $45 billion business zone in the Chinese boom town of Shenzhen, betting that the government’s plans to further open its capital markets with a “mini-Hong Kong” will spur real estate values.

Beijing has formally approved a $45 billion test project in the southern city of Shenzhen to allow a freer use of the yuan, underscoring its determination to make the yuan more convertible and used more often internationally.

Litterbugs in Shenzhen may be forced to perform community service, with the city drafting a local law in a bid to improve public behavior.

The 15 years since Hong Kong was handed back to China have seen significant increases in the number of Hong Kong residents taking up residence in Shenzhen.