Remarkable progress has been made in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), with enhancing comprehensive strength and cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, said Ma Xingrui, the Governor of Guangdong on a press conference recently.

(Photo / Nanfang Daily)

The total economic volume of the GBA reached 11.5 trillion yuan last year, with an increase of 1.4 trillion yuan over 2017. 21 companies have been listed in the Fortune Global 500 List, which is an increase of 4 over 2017.

Currently, the GBA has gained its main achievements in innovation, transportation system, policy compatibility, people's livelihood and cooperation platforms. "We endeavor to build the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao innovation and technology corridor, and an innovation network begins to take shape with connected scientific facilities, technological factors between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao," said Governor Ma.

For instance, Guangdong has offered over 10,000 large-scale scientific instrument applications to Hong Kong and Macao users, and has allocated 150 million yuan of cross-border financial research funds. As well as this, the nine cities in the Pearl River Delta have introduced almost 9,000 overseas innovative talents.

As for transportation system building, the "one-hour life circle" is accelerating to form in the GBA, with high-speed rail mileage now exceeding 1,200 kilometers. Currently, it only takes 30 minutes to drive from Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macao since the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

What's more, it is more convenient for Hong Kong and Macao residents to work and live in Guangdong. Now there are 95,000 students from Hong Kong and Macao studying in primary and middle schools of Guangdong, 14,000 students studying in the province's universities. A total of 187,000 people from Hong Kong and Macao have participated in pension, unemployment, and work-related injury insurance in Guangdong.

In the next step, the province is seeking more progress in the Greater Bay Area development, focusing on building a high ground of global technological innovation and emerging industries, a hub with high level opening-up opportunties.

Author: Will

Editor: Jerry