The blueprint for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is steadily coming to life, and transportation between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland cities is expanding. On Jan 5, the Hong Kong-Guangzhou High-Speed Rail (HSR) line introduced a new stop at Xintang Station, located between Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station and Guangzhou East. This addition trims the travel time between the two cities to just 79 minutes, shaving off nearly an hour compared to traditional cross-border bus routes. Besides convenience for travelers, this marks another significant milestone in strengthening connectivity across the Greater Bay Area, fostering deeper regional integration.

Xintang Station, opened in 2023, is situated in Guangzhou’s Zengcheng district. As part of Guangzhou’s ambitious “five main and four auxiliary” railway network plan, Xintang serves as the central hub for the eastern district. It connects seamlessly with major transit systems like the Guangzhou-Shantou Railway and Metro Line 13. The station is a shining example of the region’s vision of a “one-hour living circle”, linking cities across the region with unprecedented speed and efficiency.

From Xintang, travelers can hop onto the Guangzhou-Shantou HSR to reach Huizhou and Shanwei or use the intercity rail to get to the Shenzhen Airport. However, until now, direct HSR services from Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station bypassed Xintang, leaving this critical node underutilized.

With the recent changes, a pair of trains — in the early morning and late evening — now stop at Xintang Station daily. This adjustment aims to support both business and leisure travel. On Jan 5, I joined several tourism professionals on the inaugural train to Xintang, enjoying a smooth and timely journey. By comparison, cross-border buses often take over two and a half hours. The station itself is modern and well-equipped, featuring efficient ticketing services and spacious waiting areas, making onward connections effortless.

The journey was particularly poignant for me. As someone hailing from Zengcheng’s Xintang area, the prospect of boarding a train in Hong Kong and arriving directly at my hometown filled me with excitement and pride — something words can hardly capture.

Beyond its role as a transit hub, Xintang is a treasure trove of cultural and historical attractions. Among its highlights is Zhengguo Old Street, a site with 1,800 years of history. The street’s well-preserved architecture exudes a timeless charm, with intricate facades and wooden carvings that tell stories of bygone eras. A striking feature here is the large relief mural titled Millennium Ancient Town, Human Paradise of Zhengguo, which embodies the town’s historical and cultural significance.

The inclusion of Xintang Station in the Hong Kong-Guangzhou HSR line is more than a logistical enhancement — it is a powerful symbol of the Greater Bay Area’s commitment to integration and shared prosperity. As transportation barriers continue to diminish, the Greater Bay Area is poised to become a model for regional collaboration, where cities transcend borders to work as a unified ecosystem

Visitors can savor local delicacies such as wonton noodles and dace fish balls while soaking in the historical ambience. With Xintang Station now making access more convenient for Hong Kong residents, the region has the potential to become a new tourism hot spot. This is an opportunity for the travel industry to craft innovative itineraries that highlight the area’s unique offerings.

Adding Xintang Station to the HSR network is not just a transportation upgrade; it is a critical step toward realizing the Greater Bay Area’s vision of integration. Enhanced connectivity facilitates more frequent economic and cultural exchanges, fostering business activity and interpersonal connections across the region. The benefits extend far beyond infrastructure: This development accelerates the flow of talent, capital and ideas, reinforcing the region’s position as a global economic powerhouse.

The station’s impact is already evident. Hong Kong-based projects, such as the New World Grand Wealth Residences, have sprouted around the Xintang area, signaling growing interest in cross-border investments. Meanwhile, Zengcheng is actively leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths by attracting high-caliber talent and pursuing cooperation in fields like advanced manufacturing, electronic information, and new-energy vehicles.

The region is also exploring collaborative innovation models, such as “Hong Kong research and development, Guangzhou East Implementation”, which can synergize the technological and entrepreneurial ecosystems of both cities. These initiatives underline the role of transportation in driving economic integration and boosting the Greater Bay Area’s global competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected world.

While the addition of Xintang Station is a step in the right direction, there is ample room for further progress. The current schedule offers only one pair of trains stopping at Xintang in the morning and evening, which may not be sufficient to meet growing demand. Expanding the number of services could significantly enhance convenience for both business and leisure travelers.

Moreover, as Hong Kong and mainland authorities work to deepen integration, they should explore extending the reach of Hong Kong’s HSR network to more destinations. Improved rail connectivity will not only facilitate seamless cross-border travel but also strengthen economic and cultural ties.

The inclusion of Xintang Station in the Hong Kong-Guangzhou HSR line is more than a logistical enhancement — it is a powerful symbol of the Greater Bay Area’s commitment to integration and shared prosperity. As transportation barriers continue to diminish, the Greater Bay Area is poised to become a model for regional collaboration, where cities transcend borders to work as a unified ecosystem.

In the years to come, investments in transportation, tourism, and industrial collaboration will undoubtedly shape a dynamic and prosperous future for the Greater Bay Area, with Hong Kong playing a central role. Xintang Station may just be one stop on a high-speed railway, but its significance reverberates far beyond the tracks. It represents a vision of unity, connectivity, and progress — a vision that is becoming a reality, one station at a time.

The author is the convener at China Retold, a member of the Legislative Council, and a member of the Central Committee of the New People’s Party.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.