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I'm a bit late, but I suspect the poster is referring to a theoretical city type called a charter city[1], much pushed by the economist Paul Romer.

None have been built, although both Madagascar and Honduras briefly considered the idea. The theory is presumably inspired by Hong Kong, but obviously Hong Kong wasn't set up with any such purpose.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_city_(economic_develop...

Well, if you see any pasty Englishmen with pith helmets and Martini-Henries show up at the dock, just turn them away. Britain's power projection isn't what it once was.

Sounds like he's describing the Chinese model of development. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_economic_zones_of_Chin...

I think Hong Kong is a pretty good example.