The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a mega-city region that consists of two Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of Hong Kong and Macao, and nine cities in Guangdong province: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Huizhou, and Zhaoqing. The GBA has a population of over 71 million people. It is one of the most dynamic and prosperous regions in China and the world, with a GDP of US$1.68 trillion in 2019, ranking 11th globally.
The Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a regional development plan that aims to integrate Hong Kong, Macau and nine cities in Guangdong province into an economic and innovation hub. The plan was first proposed by China’s central government in 2017 and has since attracted global attention and investment.
The GBA covers a total area of 56,000 square kilometers and has a population of over 70 million people. It is one of the most dynamic and prosperous regions in China, accounting for 12% of the country’s GDP and 37% of its exports in 2019. The GBA also boasts a high level of innovation, with more than 60,000 patents granted and over 100,000 scientific papers published in the same year.
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The GBA plan aims to leverage the complementary strengths and synergies of the 11 cities, while respecting their different systems, cultures and laws. The plan envisions four key roles for the GBA:
An international innovation and technology hub that fosters collaboration among universities, research institutes, enterprises and governments.
A globally competitive modern industrial system that supports advanced manufacturing, emerging industries and green development.
A world-class city cluster that enhances connectivity, livability and sustainability.
A showcase of in-depth cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macau.
To achieve these goals, the GBA plan outlines several strategic measures, such as:
Improving the infrastructure network that links the 11 cities by land, sea and air.
Enhancing the flow of people, goods, capital and information within the GBA.
Promoting the coordinated development of industries and markets across the GBA.
Strengthening the protection of the environment and natural resources.
Deepening the cultural and social integration of the GBA.
The GBA plan offers immense opportunities for businesses, investors, professionals and residents in the region. It also presents challenges, such as balancing the different needs and interests of the stakeholders, ensuring fair competition and cooperation, and addressing the social and environmental issues that arise from rapid urbanization.
The GBA is envisioned as an integrated economic area that aims to take a leading role globally by 2035. The Chinese central government released the Outline Development Plan for the GBA in February 2019, which sets out the key strategies and policy measures for developing the region. The plan supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial, transportation and trade center, as well as an international aviation hub.
It also encourages Hong Kong to develop its innovation and technology industries, establish itself as a center for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region, and expand its cultural and creative industries.
The plan also respects the differences between the two SARs and the mainland cities in terms of their legal systems, economic development models, social systems and customs. It upholds the principle of “one country, two systems” and safeguards the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong and Macao under the Basic Law. It emphasizes that Hong Kong and Macao should leverage their own strengths and complement each other with the mainland cities to achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.
The GBA offers immense opportunities for Hong Kong and Macao to deepen their cooperation with the mainland cities, especially in areas such as infrastructure connectivity, innovation and technology, financial services, ecological conservation, cultural exchange, youth development and social welfare. The GBA also provides a platform for Hong Kong and Macao to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and enhance their international connections and networks.
The development of the GBA is not only beneficial for the economic growth and social progress of the region, but also conducive for maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. The GBA will enable Hong Kong and Macao to better integrate into the national development strategy, while preserving their unique characteristics and advantages. The GBA will also foster a sense of belonging and identity among the people of the region, as well as a shared vision for the future.
The GBA plan is a long-term vision that requires joint efforts from all parties involved. It is also a dynamic process that adapts to changing circumstances and needs. The success of the GBA plan depends on the active participation and support of the people in the region, as well as the collaboration and communication with the international community.
The GBA plan is an ambitious and complex project that will shape the future of China and the world. It is a topic that deserves more attention and discussion from all stakeholders. In this post, we have provided a brief introduction to the GBA plan and its implications. We hope that this will spark your interest and curiosity to learn more about this important initiative.