Greater Bay Area—Starting Line to a Brighter Future

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The virtual tour to the Greater Bay Area for foreign businesses in Hong Kong is drawing to a close. 

In just one day, we visited six enterprises in four cities and had a whole picture of the GBA in mind. Officials of the Central Government, as well as Guangdong Province, the HKSAR Government, the cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Dongguan and six business leaders have showed us the past, present and prospect of the GBA from different perspectives. They have provided favorable policy guidance and valuable experience sharing for the business community in Hong Kong to seize opportunities in the GBA. 

This event is high-profile, informative, engaging and productive. It is a big feast for eyes and mind. Here, I wish to use a few key words to sum up my feelings about this activity:

The first word is “resonance”. When the Commissioner’s Office proposed a virtual tour to the Greater Bay Area for foreign businesses in Hong Kong, it was immediately echoed by the HKSAR Government and Guangdong Province, and supported by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Development and Reform Commission . 

Their contributions throughout the whole event, from its design to the implementation, speak volumes about the great importance attached to the GBA by the Central Government, the HKSAR Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government, and strong backup of the Central Government to the future of Hong Kong. 

The deep engagement and positive feedback from the Chambers of Commerce also demonstrate the expectation and confidence of the international business community to the development of the GBA. 

My heartfelt appreciation goes to all friends, both in person and online. Thank you for your joining and interactions. You made me believe that the event is most timely.

The second word is “hot-land”. Like all of you here, today I have a more direct and in-depth understanding of the flourishing GBA. Less than three years since the release of the Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area, a series of policies and measures to support the GBA have been implemented, which display the Chinese speed and Chinese spirit to the world. 

Now, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have greater connectivity in hardware, software, knowledge, business and people to people ties. The overall strength of the GBA has been significantly improved, and its integration has been deepened.  A superior living, working and traveling environment of the GBA has gradually come into being. 

A great number of enterprises and talents both in China and overseas have come to the GBA to pursue their dreams. The thriving GBA has been a hot-land for investing, innovating and living.

The third word is “opening-up”. In the Outline Development Plan for the GBA, the word “opening-up” is mentioned 53 times. As one of the most open and dynamic region in China, the GBA is an “innovation pilot zone” for China to build a new pattern of opening up to the world. 

Today’s policy briefings given by government officials and business heads have a full-coverage. Some were about lowering the threshold for foreign investment, some emphasized more opening-up of services, scientific research and innovation to Hong Kong and Macao, and some were focused on further trade liberalization in free trade pilot zones. All these demonstrate the determination of the GBA to deepen reform and open wider. 

Facing the hyping about the so-called “regression of China’s reform and opening up”, what is happening in the GBA is the best rebuttal. It shows to the international community that China stays committed to “joining hands” with each other and “tearing down walls”, instead of “letting go” of each other’s hands or building walls”. China will only open its door wider to the world.

The fourth word is “opportunities”. “Opportunity” is the most frequently mentioned word today by government officials, business leaders and Chambers of Commerce. We have talked about the opportunities in China’s new round of reform and opening up, in high-quality development of the GBA, and in cooperation platforms such as Qianhai, Nansha, and Hengqin, so today’s activity is full of all kinds of opportunities. 

The greatest opportunity for global development lies in China, and the largest opportunity for Hong Kong is in the mainland. Hong Kong has transformed from chaos to stability and prosperity. With the strong support of the Central Government and the biggest advantage of “one country, two systems” policy, business friends in Hong Kong could find enormous opportunities and possibilities in the GBA. Only sky is the limit.

The fifth word is “action”. The GBA is embracing a new round of opening up and development. Many business friends said that they cannot wait and cannot afford to wait. They all hope to invest in the GBA as quick as possible and share the development dividends. We encourage the business community in Hong Kong to be the “early birds” and act now to engage in the GBA and achieve your business success.

In the future, our Commissioner’s Office will continue to be a defender of Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, a promoter of Hong Kong’s external exchanges and cooperation, and a facilitator of foreign businesses’ participation in the GBA through our diplomatic channels.

When the pandemic is over, I hope we could visit the GBA and the mainland in person, not virtually. Let’s make it our promise and work together for a new splendid chapter of the GBA!

Thank you!