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Hong Kong not being eclipsed by Shenzhen in Greater Bay Area plan, mainland mogul Bill Wong says
- Tycoon behind Hong Kong’s newest airline dismisses talk that city’s influence is waning
- President Xi Jinping sees Shenzhen and Hong Kong as key drivers of bay area ambitions, he says
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Hong Kong remains a driving force in the development of the Greater Bay Area and was not losing its competitiveness to neighbouring Shenzhen, according to mainland property mogul Bill Wong Cho-bau.
In the process of launching a new airline in Hong Kong, Wong is among those voicing optimism in what has become an ongoing debate over Beijing’s attitude to the city and whether its influence is waning.
Comments made by Chinese President Xi Jinping during last month’s celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of Shenzhen’s special economic zone sparked talk that the central government no longer valued Hong Kong’s role in its ambitious plans for the bay area.
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Wong, who was present when Xi spoke, dismissed such talk, and said there were “a lot of rumours”.
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“What President Xi intended to do was to authorise more power to Shenzhen so as to reduce the existing constraints, like [getting approvals] from various central authorities when the two cities collaborate.
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