Xi Jinping，the Secretary-general of CPC，has pointed out that comprehensively deepening reform and comprehensively advancing the rule of law are like the two wings of a bird or the two wheels of a car，so as to achieve the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule. Reform provides impetus，the rule of law provides guarantee，and legislation is the premise and foundation of the rule of law. Legislation meets the needs of reform，and the priority of legislation in reform has become a historic feature of comprehensively deepening reform and law-based governance. Since the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone in August 1980，it has always guided and guaranteed various reform actions through legislation. Legislation and reform and development go hand in hand，complement each other. Over the past 40 years，Shenzhen has formulated a series of regulations of special zones，regulations of major cities，government regulations and normative documents，and set up a comprehensive system of laws and regulations covering a wide range of areas. In the past 40 years since the establishment of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone，this paper reviews and summarizes the process and major achievements of legislation leading and promoting reform and development，and reflects on and looks forward to the problems and challenges faced by legislation leading and promoting reform and development in the new era.