Although great efforts have been made in the Greater Bay Area, the economic zone which integrates Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao seems to need a boost as the trade war looms larger

CGTN, for the fifth time in three years, co-hosted a special panel discussion with German broadcaster NDR (Norddeutscher Rundfunk), this time in Guangzhou, during which Professor Liu Xiaolei from the Guanghua Management School at Peking University outlined the strengths that China’s Great Bay Area could enjoy.

Referencing the latest statistics, she pointed out that in terms of population, size and GDP, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay area is generally comparable with three other globally well-known bay areas in New York, San Francisco and Tokyo, though its GDP per capita is still behind.

The chief representative of German Industry and Commerce Ltd in Hong Kong, Wolfgang Niedermark, believes it should contribute to the "one country, two systems."

When it comes to a discussion on whether a strong government is a blessing or curse for market growth, Charles Liu argues that government is vital in certain stages and China’s rapid rise has largely benefited from that. 

One of the reasons that the U.S. uses as an excuse to launch a trade war against China is the alleged “forced technology transfer.”

However, during the discussion, international lawyer Dr. Sabine Stricker-Kellerer from SSK Asia who also advises the German minister of the economy, pointed out that the U.S. claim seems vague. And it’s more likely separated from the issue of intellectual property rights protection which should be  of concern nowadays.

Currently, one question has been hovering as whether European nations need to take sides between their two largest partners who are engaging in a trade war that is showing no signs of cooling down.

But Sabine said that the issue is not about choosing sides, but the unpredictability that really worries German businesses.

In conclusion, there is great opportunity for China and EU nations to have further discussion and ideas exchange. And dialogue will always be the way to resolution.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)