CMG: Top 10 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area news stories in 2024

China Media Group (CMG) on Friday presented the top 10 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area news stories in 2024. Here is the roundup:

1. The 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech on December 20 at a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). Macao has undergone earthshaking transformation, and its international standing has increased significantly over the past 25 years since its return to the motherland, Xi said in the speech.

2. Xi hears report from HKSAR chief executive

Chinese President Xi Jinping on December 13 met with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who was on a duty visit to Beijing. During the meeting, Xi heard a report from Lee on Hong Kong's current situation and the HKSAR government's work. Xi said the central authorities would fully, firmly and accurately implement the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, and fully support the chief executive and the HKSAR government in uniting and leading all sectors of society in actively pursuing reform and progress, and in pursuing prosperity through innovation and creativity.

3. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization on July 18. The 20th CPC Central Committee studied the issue of further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization at its third plenary session. Harnessing the institutional strengths of the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, "we will work to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping, and trade center, support Hong Kong and Macao in building themselves into international hubs for high-caliber talent, and improve relevant mechanisms to see the two regions playing a greater role in China's opening to the outside world. We will encourage cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao in the Greater Bay Area by promoting closer alignment of rules and mechanisms," it said.

4. Sam Hou Fai elected Macao SAR's sixth-term chief executive designate

Sam Hou Fai was elected by an overwhelming majority as the sixth-term chief executive designate of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on October 13. "I am grateful to all the election committee members for their recognition and support, which allows me to continue serving Macao, the country, and the broader public in a higher, more comprehensive, and more strategic capacity," Sam said in his speech upon election. 

5. HKSAR LegCo unanimously passes milestone bill

The Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on March 19 passed the safeguarding national security bill, a milestone by the HKSAR in fulfilling its constitutional duty as stipulated under Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law.

6. Mega cross-sea passage in Greater Bay Area opens to traffic

The Huangmaohai Link, a cross-sea passage in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), opened to traffic on December 11. The project's construction started in June 2020 and serves as another major cross-sea passage following the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge and the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link in the GBA. The landmark project is expected to further enhance connectivity and foster economic integration in the GBA.

7. Chinese mainland, Hong Kong agree to promote services trade

The Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) signed a document on amending the service trade agreement under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) in Hong Kong on October 9. The agreement will take effect from the date of signing and will be officially implemented as of March 1, 2025. According to the amendment, thresholds of market access for Hong Kong service providers in fields including finance, telecommunications, architecture and tourism, will be further lowered or removed.

8. China expands multi-entry permits for HK, Macao for neighboring city residents

China's central government has approved new travel policies allowing more frequent visits to Hong Kong and Macao for residents of Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, according to an announcement on November 29. For example, starting December 1, 2024, Shenzhen permanent residents and holders of residence permits in the city will be eligible to apply for multi-entry permits to Hong Kong. The permits allow unlimited visits to the city within a year, with each stay capped at seven days, the National Immigration Administration said.

9. Construction of Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory's main body completed

After more than nine years of construction, the main body of the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) was completed on November 20 and is scheduled to be put into operation next year. The observatory, located in Jiangmen City, south China's Guangdong Province, is the world's largest transparent spherical detector 700 meters underground to capture elusive neutrinos, often dubbed "ghost particles," to unravel the secrets of the infinitesimally small and the infinitely vast in the universe.

10. Coverage of FM channel 'Radio The Greater Bay' in Hong Kong reaches 99%

The coverage of FM channel "Radio The Greater Bay" of the CMG in Hong Kong SAR reaches 99 percent.