2018 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation Forum was held in Qingyuan, a city in north Guangdong on November 20th. (Provided to Newsgd.com) 

12 cooperative projects valuing over 24.05 billion yuan were inked during 2018 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation Forum which was held in Qingyuan, a city in north Guangdong on November 20th.

Meanwhile, the forum saw Qingyuan and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s signing of a MOU of establishing the sister cities relationship, expecting to boost biliteral cooperation in investment & trade, technology & innovation, tourism and education.

Organized by Guangdong’s Association For Promotion of Cooperation Between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao and Qingyuan Government, the forum welcomed over 400 attendants including representatives from industrial and commercial circles in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, famous entrepreneurs, experts and scholars to offer suggestions on the construction of the Area, as well as how surrounding cities such as Qingyuan to integrate with the Area.

Dr. Wang Fuqiang, Director General of the Department of Industrial Planning (Consulting Department) in China Center for International Economic Exchanges, pointed out that the Area should keep exploring new things, and innovation in mechanism is the key. Platforms and mechanism should be established in the Area so as to attract international resources, particularly innovative resources.

Wang advised some new policies in land, Hukou and labor could trail firstly in the Area. Also he suggested cities in the Area can cooperate with a surrounding city to build a place of “enclave”, where people can enjoy the same preferential policies within the Area. In Wang’s eyes, the Area could be a demonstrative zone to showcase China’s determination of furthering reform and open up.

Dr. Guo Wanda, Executive Vice President of China Development Institute, believed that in 10-15 years the Greater Bay Area will become an international megalopolis and insisted that Qingyuan, a city within one-hour driving distance from Guangzhou, should and could merge itself into the construction of the Area.

For instance, Qingyuan could focus on industries that can match the needs of the Area and close its connection with cities in the Area, especially with Guangzhou. Now Qingyuan has developed an industrial park locating in the area that very close to Guangzhou, welcoming projects from GAC-Honda, GAC-Toyota and some foreign auto manufacturing companies.

Reported by Nan

Edited by Olivia