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X. Zhang
1 Definition of a Bay Area
In geography, a bay area is an area where river, marine and terrestrial ecosystems
meet, with abundant marine, biological and environmental resources endowment,
unique geological landscapes and special ecological value. In socioeconomic terms,
a bay area refers to a socioeconomic agglomeration of ports and towns facing the same
sea, forming strong synergy. In general, cities in bay areas benefit from their unique
natural endowments and enjoy a good environment, an open culture, sound industrial
development, and a concentration of talent. Bay areas thus play an important part in
regional, national and even global economic development, and are highlights in the
global economic landscape. Famous bay areas in the world are mostly major growth
poles of the world economy, characterized by technological innovation. The Silicon
Valley, which is in the San Francisco Bay Area of the United States, is the world’s
center of technological innovations. Wall Street of the New York Bay Area is the
world’s financial center. The Tokyo Bay Area is the mainstay of Japan’s economy,
contributing one third of the country’s GDP.
2 Background of the Greater Bay Area
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a national strategy of China
proposed and headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping himself. It is a move in the
new era towards a new model of all-round opening up of China, and a new practice
of “one country, two systems.” This strategy was included in the report to the 19th
National Congress of the CPC and the report on the work of the government. It is
expected to help promote exchange and cooperation between the Chinese mainland
and Hong Kong and Macao SARs. It is of great significance to Hong Kong and
Macao in facilitating their participation in national development strategy, enhancing
their competitiveness and maintaining prosperity and stability in the long run.
The NDRC issued the Overall Plan for Pilot Reforms for Comprehensive Innovation in Some Regions and Sectors in September 2015 and Guangdong was one of the,
focusing on promoting cooperation in innovation between Guangdong, Hong Kong
and Macao. The report of Guangdong government on its work in 2016 included a
section about improving cities in the Pearl River Delta and joining hands with Hong
Kong and Macao to develop the Greater Bay Area.
At the fifth session of the 12th National People’s Congress held in March 2017,
Premier Li Keqiang proposed in the report on the work of the government that China
would promote closer cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao
SARs, draw up a plan for the development of a city cluster in the Greater Bay Area,
give full play to the distinctive strengths of Hong Kong and Macao, and elevate their
positions and roles in China’s economic development and opening up.
President Xi Jinping attended the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement
on Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation in the Development of
X. Zhang
1 Definition of a Bay Area
In geography, a bay area is an area where river, marine and terrestrial ecosystems
meet, with abundant marine, biological and environmental resources endowment,
unique geological landscapes and special ecological value. In socioeconomic terms,
a bay area refers to a socioeconomic agglomeration of ports and towns facing the same
sea, forming strong synergy. In general, cities in bay areas benefit from their unique
natural endowments and enjoy a good environment, an open culture, sound industrial
development, and a concentration of talent. Bay areas thus play an important part in
regional, national and even global economic development, and are highlights in the
global economic landscape. Famous bay areas in the world are mostly major growth
poles of the world economy, characterized by technological innovation. The Silicon
Valley, which is in the San Francisco Bay Area of the United States, is the world’s
center of technological innovations. Wall Street of the New York Bay Area is the
world’s financial center. The Tokyo Bay Area is the mainstay of Japan’s economy,
contributing one third of the country’s GDP.
2 Background of the Greater Bay Area
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a national strategy of China
proposed and headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping himself. It is a move in the
new era towards a new model of all-round opening up of China, and a new practice
of “one country, two systems.” This strategy was included in the report to the 19th
National Congress of the CPC and the report on the work of the government. It is
expected to help promote exchange and cooperation between the Chinese mainland
and Hong Kong and Macao SARs. It is of great significance to Hong Kong and
Macao in facilitating their participation in national development strategy, enhancing
their competitiveness and maintaining prosperity and stability in the long run.
The NDRC issued the Overall Plan for Pilot Reforms for Comprehensive Innovation in Some Regions and Sectors in September 2015 and Guangdong was one of the,
focusing on promoting cooperation in innovation between Guangdong, Hong Kong
and Macao. The report of Guangdong government on its work in 2016 included a
section about improving cities in the Pearl River Delta and joining hands with Hong
Kong and Macao to develop the Greater Bay Area.
At the fifth session of the 12th National People’s Congress held in March 2017,
Premier Li Keqiang proposed in the report on the work of the government that China
would promote closer cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao
SARs, draw up a plan for the development of a city cluster in the Greater Bay Area,
give full play to the distinctive strengths of Hong Kong and Macao, and elevate their
positions and roles in China’s economic development and opening up.
President Xi Jinping attended the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement
on Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation in the Development of