Coronavirus disrupted plans for Greater Bay Area but region now poised for lift-off, says newly promoted Guangdong party chief Huang Kunming
- Guangdong party secretary encourages young people from Hong Kong to head north for opportunities
- Bay area cities have made concerted efforts to accelerate connectivity with ‘fruitful results and bright prospects’, he tells visiting Hong Kong media chiefs
The coronavirus pandemic disrupted plans to transform Hong Kong, Macau and nine Guangdong cities into an economic powerhouse, but the area is now poised for a new lift-off to become an international, market-oriented business region as envisioned by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the province’s top official has said.
“I hope the media can … truly reflect the real benefits brought by the Greater Bay Area to the citizens of all cities, especially the opportunities for young people on innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Huang, who is also a member of the powerful Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party.
“The young people in Hong Kong, especially, can devote themselves to the construction of the Greater Bay Area and work together to build our homes.”
In a blueprint first revealed in 2019, Xi’s Greater Bay Area plan aims to integrate Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland cities into an economic powerhouse to rival other innovation and financial hubs such as Silicon Valley and the Tokyo Bay Area.