Create a Strategic System for Ecological Civilization …
381
the Greater Bay Area in Hong Kong in July 2017, where the agreement was signed
by Hong Kong SAR’s Chief Executive Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Macao SAR’s Chief
Executive Chui Sai On, NDRC representative He Lifeng, and Governor Ma Xingrui,
of Guangdong province.
In April 2018, while attending the Boao Forum, Guangdong governor Ma Xingrui
said that the plan for development of the Greater Bay Area would soon be released.
He expressed strong confidence in making the Greater Bay Area a world-class bay
area and making Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen a city cluster that
functions as a comprehensive technological innovation center.
The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the Development Plan
for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in February 2019, officially
launching the Greater Bay Area development initiative as a new attempt at greater
openness in the new era and a new practice of “one country, two systems.” The Plan
was formulated fully in line with the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the CPC,
fully and accurately aligned to the principle of “one country, two systems,” and with
an aim to fully leverage the compound advantages of Guangdong, Hong Kong and
Macao. It requires deepened cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Hong
Kong and Macao SARs and enhancement of the Greater Bay Area’s supporting and
leading role in China’s economic development and opening up.
3 Natural and Economic Conditions of the Greater Bay
Area
With a long coastline, China has a lot of ocean-bound rivers and bays. Since the
launch of the reform and opening up, the country has seen continuous development of modern industries in its coastal areas and steady progress in exploring the
oceans. Bay areas in China, in particular, have made remarkable achievements in
economic development. The economic growth is especially fast in the Greater Bay
Area comprising the nine mainland cities of Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Jiangmen, as well as Hong Kong
and Macao SARs. Up to 56,000 km
2 in area, the Greater Bay Area has a population
of 70 million, and its GDP exceeded RMB 10 trillion in 2017, making it the best
developed region in China in terms of economic strength. The Greater Bay Area is
the world’s fourth largest bay area following the New York Bay Area, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Tokyo Bay Area. With a well-developed economy, great
biodiversity, an inclusive and open culture, and abundant science, technology and
education resources, the Greater Bay Area has been an important powerhouse in
China’s economic development. It is also an important platform for the country to
build a world-class city cluster and participate in global competition.
381
the Greater Bay Area in Hong Kong in July 2017, where the agreement was signed
by Hong Kong SAR’s Chief Executive Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Macao SAR’s Chief
Executive Chui Sai On, NDRC representative He Lifeng, and Governor Ma Xingrui,
of Guangdong province.
In April 2018, while attending the Boao Forum, Guangdong governor Ma Xingrui
said that the plan for development of the Greater Bay Area would soon be released.
He expressed strong confidence in making the Greater Bay Area a world-class bay
area and making Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen a city cluster that
functions as a comprehensive technological innovation center.
The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the Development Plan
for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in February 2019, officially
launching the Greater Bay Area development initiative as a new attempt at greater
openness in the new era and a new practice of “one country, two systems.” The Plan
was formulated fully in line with the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the CPC,
fully and accurately aligned to the principle of “one country, two systems,” and with
an aim to fully leverage the compound advantages of Guangdong, Hong Kong and
Macao. It requires deepened cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Hong
Kong and Macao SARs and enhancement of the Greater Bay Area’s supporting and
leading role in China’s economic development and opening up.
3 Natural and Economic Conditions of the Greater Bay
Area
With a long coastline, China has a lot of ocean-bound rivers and bays. Since the
launch of the reform and opening up, the country has seen continuous development of modern industries in its coastal areas and steady progress in exploring the
oceans. Bay areas in China, in particular, have made remarkable achievements in
economic development. The economic growth is especially fast in the Greater Bay
Area comprising the nine mainland cities of Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Jiangmen, as well as Hong Kong
and Macao SARs. Up to 56,000 km
2 in area, the Greater Bay Area has a population
of 70 million, and its GDP exceeded RMB 10 trillion in 2017, making it the best
developed region in China in terms of economic strength. The Greater Bay Area is
the world’s fourth largest bay area following the New York Bay Area, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Tokyo Bay Area. With a well-developed economy, great
biodiversity, an inclusive and open culture, and abundant science, technology and
education resources, the Greater Bay Area has been an important powerhouse in
China’s economic development. It is also an important platform for the country to
build a world-class city cluster and participate in global competition.