On July 1, 2017, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region jointly signed the “Agreement on Deepening the Cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao” to build the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)".
Two years since, the region has become a world-class bay area. The GBA bears witness to the spirit of the "one country, two systems" principle and has become a new highlight of China's high quality development.
The concept of the GBA was first proposed in 2015, and written into the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020). The framework agreement was written into the work report of the Chinese central government in March 2017, and incorporated into the work report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October of the same year. The blueprint was revealed earlier this year.
HK's unique institutional advantage
Hong Kong's participation in the development of the Greater Bay Area will transform the city’s position from a "contact point" to a more active "participant," and ultimately benefit the public. Taking advantage of and actively participating in the development of the GBA has become the consensus of the vast majority of Hong Kong people.
The GBA is one of the most economically dynamic and open regions in China.
Sprawling 56,000 square kilometers, the GBA accounts for less than one percent of China's territory, and is home to less than five percent of the country’s population. However, the region's economic contribution rate to the country surpassed 12 percent, with economic output reaching 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars, according to 2017 data.
The huge market from the development of GBA will serve as a new growth engine for Hong Kong.
Through the course of development of the GBA, Hong Kong's biggest advantage is its unique “one country, two systems” political layout. This advantage will also bring more possibilities in the creative development of the GBA.
GBA supports Hong Kong's youth
"It's also Hong Kong residents' wish to coordinate with the chief executive and the SAR government to ensure Hong Kong's stability and focus on developing the economy," said Man Tuen Lo, chairman of the Hong Kong General Association of China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification.
Lo expected a better future for Hong Kong. "Hong Kong people would be able to take advantage of the business opportunities in the GBA and integrate into the GBA to improve Hong Kong 's economic development and people's livelihood," he said.
The "one-hour life circle" in the GBA has been initially formed owing to the operation of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and network of high speed railway between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, facilitating to jointly build a better GBA for compatriots in Hong Kong.
According to Yung Chan, chairman of the New Territories Association of Societies, the circle is "to give hope to young people, elites from all walks of life, especially middle-class professionals more convenience to develop their careers in the GBA".
"The young generation in Hong Kong is also looking for a stable society, as Hong Kong cannot help develop the economy without stability," Lo affirmed, expecting that the young should make use of the GBA for job opportunities, which can not only contribute to the country but benefit themselves as well.
"The development of GBA tends to provide more opportunities to Hong Kong's development, especially for the young generation, to expand their careers," Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's chief executive explained, calling for all Hong Kong's participation in the development of GBA and creating more favorable conditions in return.