Guangdong province will give top priority to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in its cause of reform and opening up in the new era, according to Guangdong governor Ma Xingrui.

Seizing opportunities to promote reform and opening up

Ma said that the GBA is to bring great benefits to Guangdong, helping Guangdong in its partnership with Hong Kong and Macao, promoting reform and opening up and contributing to the Belt & Road development.

In order to implement the outline development plan for the GBA, Guangdong has carried out several measures: studying President Xi Jinping's remarks on the construction of the GBA; furthering research on human resources, logistics, capital and information; formulating a timetable, road map and task schedule; setting up the leading group and six teams for the GBA's development and improving communications with Hong Kong and Macao.

Making all efforts to develop "one core area, one belt and one zone"

Guangdong is forming a new model -- the Pearl River Delta Core Area led by Guangzhou and Shenzhen, the coastal economic belt consisting of the eastern and western Guangdong and the coastal area of the Pearl River Delta, and the ecological development zone in the northern Guangdong.

This new pattern is designed for the coordinated development of various districts in terms of industrial elements and transport infrastructure so that cities in the Pearl River Delta can utilize their inherent strengths to push forward the GBA's development.

Serving to better implement "One country, two systems"

Ma emphasized that Hong Kong and Macao should seize the opportunities brought by the GBA to foster their own growth, enhancing their people's national identity.

With their cultural homology, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao should extend the cooperation and seek out potential mutual benefits, in order to create a fine business environment and optimize rules respecting law, market access, property protection, and government services.

Furthermore the province must establish a cooperation demonstration zone together with Hong Kong and Macao and promote key projects such as the GBA international commercial bank, innovative futures exchange and a youth innovation & entrepreneurship base.

Reported by Will, Pu Enling

Edited by Simon