In an afternoon session at Boao, top government officials from Guangdong province and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, shared their thoughts on the potential of southern China's Greater Bay Area.

CARRIE LAM, CHIEF EXECUTIVE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION "To further enhance the growth of the Asian economy relies not only on the size of Asia and its fast development, but also on innovation and its connections with the world. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is an extremely important issue in the context of Asian development. The building of the greater bay area has risen to national strategic level. Whether innovation can provide new dynamics in the region, and whether the area can connect China with other parts of Asia and the world, they will be the decisive factors determining the greater bay area's success."

MA XINGRUI GOVERNOR OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE "The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has been written into the report of the 19th CPC National Congress. CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping signed the framework protocol on the building of the greater bay area. When meeting with the Guangdong delegation at this year's National People's Congress, General Secretary Xi urged Guangdong to grab the opportunity and build a world-class bay area and urban agglomeration, together with Hong Kong and Macao. This has set a clear goal and provided a powerful dynamic for the development of the bay area."

VAI TAC LEONG, SECRETARY FOR THE ECONOMY & FINANCE GOVERNMENT OF MACAO SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION "We need to utilize Macao's advantages, especially its connection with the Portuguese-speaking areas to help the bay area bring in investment and go global. Macao will provide matching financial services in funds and trade for Chinese and Portuguese companies. Macao will explore opportunities for various markets, as it tries to accommodate the needs of Portuguese-speaking countries and the Belt and Road Initiative. It will continue to help the bay area to conduct economic exchanges with other countries. It will also continue its actively cooperation with cities like Zhuhai."