The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is stepping into a new era of unprecedented connectivity, with the ShenZhong Link, HuangMaoHai Link, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and NanZhong Expressway forming the backbone of a comprehensive transportation network.
As the region becomes more interconnected, it fosters a vibrant environment for business collaboration, talent recruitment, and regional development, all while enriching the lives of its residents by facilitating cross-city working, living, and cultural and tourism exploration.
The recently opened ShenZhong Link, a core east-west artery, stands as a symbol of the GBA's commitment to infrastructural excellence, cutting travel times significantly and making commutes between cities a breeze. "It takes only 20 minutes to reach the ShenZhong Link from our high-tech hub," says Zhigang Zhang, Deputy Director of the Housing and Urban Rural Development Bureau of Zhuhai High-tech Industrial Development Zone. The Link is not just about faster travel; it's about knitting the region closer together and setting the stage for a more integrated GBA.
The enhanced connectivity is greatly benefiting enterprises, facilitating recruitment and fostering collaboration. "We were already interested in the ShenZhong Link when we came to Zhuhai last year," remarked Markar Zhang, Chairman of Puna Times New Energy Co., Ltd. The ease of access between cities like Shenzhen and Zhuhai has made it easier for companies to tap into a larger talent pool and for professionals to consider opportunities across the region, since they can work and live conveniently across cities and the time spent on commuting is no longer a factor to be worried about.
Apart from connecting the prosperous east, the GBA's transportation infrastructure network is also of strategic importance to balance regional development through linking western Guangdong. "The completion and opening of the HuangMaoHai Link mainly facilitates the interconnectivity for Western Guangdong and the southern coastal cities," states Zhu Chao, Director of the Management Center of HuangMaoHai Link. This initiative is expected to narrow down the development gap, bringing shared prosperity to areas that were previously less accessible and developed.
These bridges and expressways are more than just roads; they are also pathways to cultural and tourism exploration. "The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, ShenZhong Link, and other routes facilitate the integration of culture and tourism industries throughout the GBA," says Shi Jianli, Official of the Cultural and Tourism Department, Jinwan District, Zhuhai. The infrastructure has already shown its impact, with a remarkable 183% increase in tourist numbers in the Jinwan District in 2023 year on year.
As businesses from different sectors and regions join hands, the GBA is emerging as a model of collective development. "Our offshore development center in the GBA is headquartered in Guangzhou, and we have many partners in Shenzhen who come to Zhuhai," shared Leon, CEO of ASL. The ease of transportation between nearby cities has been a game-changer, knitting the region into an interconnected family united in progress and prosperity.
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Video | Qin Shaolong
Editor | Nan, Will, James
