A press conference was held in Shenzhen on April 22 to preview the upcoming special promotion, "Stories of CPC: Achievement of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in Practicing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era," which is scheduled on April 23.
This year, the special promotion will be centered around the theme of "A Strategic Underpinning for a New Development Paradigm, a Demonstration Area for High-quality Development and a Pacesetter of Chinese Modernization," seeking to amplify CPC governance experience to the world via the development of GBA.
Press conference held in Shenzhen on "Stories of CPC: Achievement of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in Practicing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era"
The promotion was organized by the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee .
Hu Zhaoming, Spokesperson of the Department, elaborated on the necessity of the event. "Every morning, we wake to news of mounting instability and growing pressures," he observed. For ruling parties across the world, the pressing questions remain: how to sustain socioeconomic progress and improve people's livelihoods? China's answer, Hu explained, lies in strengthening internal drivers through coordinated regional development. "More often than not, external challenges call for internal solutions," he said, expressing hope that China's experience would offer useful references for other nations.
He also underscored a key reason for choosing Shenzhen as the venue for this year: the city will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting later this year, making 2026 both the "APEC China Year" and the "APEC Shenzhen Year."
The event, he added, aims to sharpen global focus on the Asia-Pacific region, Shenzhen, and development and cooperation—thereby fostering a positive atmosphere for the upcoming APEC summit.
Cang Feng, Deputy Director-General of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, then elaborated on how the Greater Bay Area's practices could serve as a global reference.
The "one-hour living circle," he noted, is rapidly expanding, supported by concrete policy breakthroughs such as cross-border Wealth Management Connect, mutual recognition of skilled talent credentials, and even cross-border ambulance services.
Driven by the GBA framework, Guangdong has built ten industrial clusters each exceeding RMB 1 trillion yuan in value, while taking early leads in future networks, AI, low-altitude economy, bio-manufacturing, brain-computer interfaces, and embodied intelligence.
Responding to a question from South regarding Guangdong's role in the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), Cang first reviewed the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025). Guangdong's GDP has ranked first in China for 37 consecutive years, with total imports and exports exceeding 9 trillion yuan. Its regional innovation capacity has been No. 1 nationwide for nine years, while per capita disposable income grew by 30% over the five-year span.
South reporter asks questions on the press conference
Looking ahead, Guangdong has made Greater Bay Area development its top priority among eight strategic goals. Key achievements include the Dongguan-Hong Kong International Air Cargo Centre (over RMB 50 billion yuan in goods handled), the China Spallation Neutron Source (open to global users), over 7,600 Macao-funded enterprises in Hengqin, free-trade account transactions exceeding RMB 1.2 trillion yuan in Qianhai, more than 800 Chinese companies supported by Nansha's "going global" base, and over 200 high-end research projects involving 16,000 professionals in Shenzhen's Hetao area.
Cao Saixian, Head of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, provided a preview of the event on April 23.
The program will feature press briefings, bilateral meetings, site visits, thematic exhibitions, and a main conference.
Approximately 300 participants are expected, including over 160 foreign guests from more than 40 countries—among them political party leaders, think tank experts, and media representatives.
A special exhibition will showcase 11 representative companies, offering hands-on experiences with AI robots, drones, brain-computer interfaces, exoskeletons, multilingual smart translators, new energy solutions, and power batteries. "We want our guests to feel the pulse of innovation in the Greater Bay Area up close," Cao said.
Launched as a flagship platform to share the CPC's governance experience with foreign political parties, this thematic briefing series has now held 19 sessions.
Reporter: Guo Zedong, Yuan Zixiang
Photos provided to South
