As recently reported by China Daily: “Cooperation among Shenzhen and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions in the integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has reached new heights through the strategic Qianhai and Hetao development zones. The Development and Reform Commission of Shenzhen municipality on Wednesday highlighted the city’s unprecedented levels of collaboration with the two SARs over the 6-year implementation of the Greater Bay Area Development Plan at the launch of a media tour of the region’s cooperation setup.”

We live in a world of increasing economic uncertainty. The normal rules of economic engagement and integration between states are being torn up and replaced with protectionism, politicization of supply chains, an emphasis on geopolitical gain and hypervigilance. It is no exaggeration to note that the global free trade order as we know it is being dismantled, driven by the actions of US President Donald Trump’s administration. Although every effort should be pursued in order to preserve it, to guard against its impact, greater economic integration and efficiency is needed at home, especially in China, which has been excessively targeted by Trump’s actions.

The Greater Bay Area on the southern coast of China is one of the most economically important regions in the world.

Having established itself as a global leader in manufacturing, trade, technology and finance, the “engine” of the region is the powerhouse of Shenzhen, a city whose rapid growth has become a symbol of the country’s wider development, promoting itself as a base for China’s most innovative and high-tech industries.

Connected to Shenzhen is Hong Kong, which is the world’s third-largest financial center and the nation’s gateway to the world, and thus pivotal for the flow of foreign capital and investment both in and out of China. The proximity of the two cities has been critical in empowering their economies and prosperity, with nearly 1 million border crossings each month.

And so, to the Macao Special Administrative Region.

Although Macao is much smaller than these two mega cities in terms of population, and has been traditionally seen as tourist and leisure resort, change has been afoot in recent years as efforts have been made to transform the SAR into a second financial center, deepening its ties with the Chinese mainland and expanding its banking links.

As an article in Forbes noted, Macao is not being turned into a “competitor” to Hong Kong, as this is not a zero-sum game; rather it is designed to complement the economic growth and development of the country as a whole. Hence, the territory is not a mere isolated offshore gambling hub, but a growing source of capital which by virtue of Macao’s location ripples into Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Therefore, it goes without saying it is pivotal that the future economic growth of the Greater Bay Area is contingent upon these three cities working together and trilaterally integrating their economies.

The Greater Bay Area is a grand map of economic development used to shield against external risks, better integrate itself with the broader region, and facilitate the advantages of China’s own market and population base.

As a China Daily report said, “The Shenzhen municipal government said it’s committed to advancing the development of these key cooperation platforms. The goal is to set a standard for deeper collaboration across the mainland and in Hong Kong and Macao, thereby contributing significantly to the Greater Bay Area’s growth.”

The author is a British political and international-relations analyst.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.