Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, China Daily, Qu Yingpu gives welcoming remarks at Greater Bay Area Conference 2023 in Hong Kong on Nov 22, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Qu Yingpu, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, China Daily: This year marks not only the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative; it is also the 10th anniversary of President Xi’s proposal to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. It is as well the 20th anniversary of China’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a vital part of the modernization journey of China. It is also of great relevance to Asia and the world. Deepening ASEAN’s involvement in the GBA will help build an Asia Pacific community with a shared future. As President Xi points out, to meet common challenges and create a better future for all, culture and civilization must play their roles. In their own way, they are as important as the economy, science and technology. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture serves as a fundamental guidance for China’s cultural development. It seeks to foster a spirit of cultural exchange and mutual learning across the world. Let’s play our part in consolidating the gains from the positive momentum of cooperation and development between the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN, and together contribute to taking it to a higher level. 

Deputy Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Coalition, Jane Lee delivers welcoming remarks at Greater Bay Area Conference 2023 in Hong Kong on Nov 22, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Jane Lee, Deputy Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Coalition: Hong Kong is a fitting place to host this conference. ... In terms of economy and trade, we are an anchor city of the Greater Bay while ASEAN is our second-largest trading partner. In terms of international business, Hong Kong is the most popular place for ASEAN companies to list overseas, with over 80 ASEAN companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and also for mainland and GBA companies to list outside of the Chinese mainland. In terms of timing, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the strategic partnership between ASEAN and China. Over the past 20 years, the trade between China and ASEAN has expanded nearly twelvefold, and become each other’s largest trading partner. Facilitated by the Belt and Road Initiative and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the bond between China and ASEAN has never been stronger. The economic and business diversity within ASEAN and GBA is truly mind-boggling. Hong Kong as the superconnector can do even more. We can focus on providing professional services and support to ASEAN enterprises interested in entering the China market through the Greater Bay Area, as well as domestic brands wishing to expand their global presence to ASEAN.

Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Li Yongsheng delivers a speech at Greater Bay Area Conference 2023 in Hong Kong on Nov 22, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Li Yongsheng, Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Given the profound changes taking place globally and regionally, closer cooperation with ASEAN is ever more needed. Hong Kong, with strong support of the motherland and close connection with the world, can play at least four roles in enhancing GBA’s and even whole China’s cooperation with ASEAN. First, Hong Kong can be a facilitator of trade and investment. Second, Hong Kong can be a promoter of regional connectivity. Third, Hong Kong can be a spearheader of innovative cooperation. Fourth, Hong Kong can be a contributor to people-to-people bonds. Our Commissioner’s Office stays committed to creating more benefits to Hong Kong through diplomatic channels. We firmly support Hong Kong’s integration into the national development and the expansion of its exchanges with ASEAN members and the wider world. We will continue to work with all parties to contribute our share to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and to the greater development of the GBA.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, The People's Republic of China to ASEAN Hou Yanqi delivers a speech via video at Greater Bay Area Conference 2023 in Hong Kong on Nov 22, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hou Yanqi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China: As a Chinese saying goes, “A single tree cannot form a forest.” China and ASEAN have been working in solidarity and helping each other succeed. We push forward our respective modernization processes, bringing benefits to 2 billion people in the region. We continue to create new cooperation highlights in areas such as poverty alleviation, climate change, environmental protection and energy transformation, and preserve peace and safety in the region in a world fraught with turbulence and change. It took us together to create such a miracle. China-ASEAN cooperation has become the most shining example of the success and robustness of regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, and also a vivid example of promoting the building of a global community of a shared future. China and ASEAN share a close affinity; the Greater Bay Area is even closer to ASEAN in terms of geographical proximity, ethnicity and cultural ties. ASEAN is already an important trading partner of Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and other cities in the Greater Bay Area. The two sides have complementary development advantages, huge potential for cooperation, and a bright future of common prosperity.

Secretary of State (Deputy Minister) at Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, Pak Sokhom speaks at Greater Bay Area Conference 2023 in Hong Kong on Nov 22, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Pak Sokhom, Secretary of State (Deputy Minister) at Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia: To enhance Cambodian prestige and the resilience of tourism, we have our clear tourism development strategy and our BUILD-plus-3Ds initiative, under the leadership of H.E. SoK Sokhen, minister of tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia, to develop Cambodia into an attractive global tourist destination. BUILD is an acronym for Brand management, Unique selling point marketing, Inbound design quality travel, Leverage in endowment and diversification, and Develop competitive sites and resources. 3Ds is an acronym for Design the institutional structure, Digital transformation, and Develop the capability. Our mission is to create a favorable environment for Cambodia to become a vibrant, competitive, sustainable and inclusive destination. Moreover, to preserve our historical and cultural assets for sustainable tourism, the Royal Government of Cambodia set out the Siem Reap Tourism. The Master Plan 2021-2035 vision is to welcome 7 million international tourists and 11 million domestic tourists, which generate approximately 900,000 direct jobs and US$5 billion in revenue by 2035. To reach this vision, the Siem Reap provincial infrastructure has been renovated.