The director of the central government’s liaison office emphasized the importance of collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangdong for the advancement of the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Speaking at the Guangdong-Hong Kong Deepening Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation Conference in Guangzhou, Zheng Yanxiong highlighted the positive impact of the central government’s support on Hong Kong’s economy and society.
Zheng expressed his hope for Hong Kong and Guangdong to take the lead in developing innovation and technology within the GBA. He encouraged the two regions to leverage the GBA’s innovation and industrial chains, focusing on emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, life sciences, low-altitude economy, and green development. By accelerating the cultivation of new industries and fostering new productive forces, Guangdong and Hong Kong can contribute to the growth of the GBA.
Guangdong party secretary Huang Kunming emphasized the vast opportunities within the GBA, noting that the economy in the region exceeded 10 trillion yuan last year. He called for collaboration among all stakeholders, highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector and value-adder in the region. By working together, Guangdong and Hong Kong can expand their global presence and enhance their competitiveness.
Chief Executive John Lee, accompanied by a delegation of government officials and business leaders, attended the conference and announced the agreement on 126 economic and trade cooperation projects between Hong Kong and Guangdong. These projects, totaling over 100 billion yuan, include investments from Hong Kong businesses in various sectors such as financial cooperation, modern logistics, smart production, biomedicine, and artificial intelligence. Lee commended Hong Kong entrepreneurs for their commitment to serving the development of Guangdong and the mainland through practical actions.
Following the conference in Guangzhou, the delegation proceeded to Foshan as part of their visit to the GBA. While Lee is set to return to Hong Kong, Chief Secretary Eric Chan will lead the delegation in visits to Dongguan, Huizhou, and Shenzhen. This visit signifies the ongoing collaboration and partnership between Hong Kong and Guangdong in driving economic growth and innovation within the GBA.
