GBA cooperation to focus on regional development, economic breakthroughs

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region should “continue to be bold in reform, dare to break new ground, and to innovate continuously”, said Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, during his inspection tour of key cooperation zones involving the city.

Xia, who is also director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks on Sunday while visiting the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone and the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone.

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The zones are leading cooperation platforms set within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) under multiple high-level national development plans, including the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

In a four-hour discussion session held in Qianhai, Xia was briefed by Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on the HKSAR’s economy and financial services plans.

The session focused on how Hong Kong could further adapt to and embrace changes under the new circumstances while accelerating reforms and enhancing GBA cooperation.

Xia said he hopes the HKSAR government will implement the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s important speech in Macao and the resolution of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

He encouraged continued bold reforms and innovation, and called for more reciprocal cooperation and collaborative development within the GBA.

Chan reaffirmed the HKSAR government’s commitment to the “one country, two systems” principle, and aligning Hong Kong with national development strategies.

Hong Kong aims to balance development and security, promote economic growth, and leverage its unique international connections amid global challenges, he said. The city will leverage its strengths to contribute to the country’s efforts in deepening reforms, promoting high-quality development and advancing high-level opening-up, he added.

Chan highlighted plans to strengthen Hong Kong’s traditional advantages in financial services, trade and shipping, while also exploring new development areas, focusing on nurturing new quality productive forces and new economic growth avenues with investments in innovation and technology.

The city will also harness platforms such as the Hetao and Qianhai zones to play to the comparative strengths of GBA cities, he added.

The sessions were attended by senior officials, including Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong; Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; HKSAR’s acting chief executive Eric Chan Kwok-ki; and several HKSAR department secretaries.

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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, for a visit.

During his tour of the Hong Kong Park in the Hetao zone, Xia also listened to presentations on the development overview of the Northern Metropolis.

Xia’s inspection tour, which began Friday, included visits to various strategic locations such as Shenzhen Park in the Hetao zone, Huanggang checkpoint, Yantian Harbor, and the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration.

This visit follows his November meeting with 29 Hong Kong business leaders in Shenzhen, where he called for tangible actions to support Hong Kong’s high-quality economic development.