Plans to turn the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao greater bay area into the world's largest bay area in terms of GDP by 2030 have been filed with the national economic planner, according to an official on Tuesday.

The plan for the development of a city cluster covering the majority of south China was forwarded to the National Development and Reform Commission at the end of June, said Wu Weibao, deputy head of Guangdong's development and reform commission.

"Compiled by the provincial development and reform commission and national think tanks, including the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), the plan sets the targets, development directions and major tasks for the area," Wu said.

The greater bay area will cover the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, and nine cities in Guangdong Province, including the first-tier cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

By 2030, the area is expected to have the highest GDP among all bay areas worldwide, and become an advanced manufacturing center, as well as an important global hub of innovation, finance, shipping and trade, he added.

The plan includes major infrastructure projects, important development platforms, and deep economic and trade cooperation that will have impacts beyond the area, he added.

A framework agreement on the development of the greater bay area was signed by central and local officials on July 1, during the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.