China's Greater Bay Area, model of development, driver for world

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area of China is developing into a model of regional synergy, a driver of the country's new round of opening-up, and a source of fresh opportunities to be shared by the world.

Officials, scholars and business representatives assembled in Hong Kong at a forum on Thursday to discuss the development of the Greater Bay Area, one of the most dynamic region across the world.

Guests attend a forum on the development of the Greater Bay Area in Hong Kong, south China, Oct. 24, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

Natural synergy

"The development of the Greater Bay Area is a natural progression of the collaboration of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao," said Leung Chun-ying, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Cities in the Greater Bay Area will be able to give full play to synergy and achieve joint development, Leung said.

Given various external and domestic headwinds in Hong Kong, Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam stressed that the Greater Bay Area provides new impetus to Hong Kong's economy and creates development opportunities for local people, especially youth.

Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam delivers a speech at a forum on the development of the Greater Bay Area in Hong Kong, south China, Oct. 24, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

Hong Kong should take a more proactive role in the Greater Bay Area with its strengths in financial and professional services, aviation, and innovation and technology, Lam said.

Hong Kong and Macao have a major role to play in the Greater Bay Area, said Xie Feng, the commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the HKSAR.

Xie Feng, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), delivers a speech at a forum on the development of the Greater Bay Area in Hong Kong, south China, Oct. 24, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

The two SARs will be able to expand space for economic development, open up new possibilities, and improve people's livelihood such as employment, education and healthcare through enhanced cooperation with the mainland and better integration into national development, thus fully tapping the potential of "one country, two systems", Xie said.