Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

A symposium was held in Hong Kong on Feb 21 to discuss the implementation of the outline development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Zhuhai Mayor Yao Yisheng was among those in attendance.

The event followed the release of the outline development plan on Feb 18. The document outlines the current and future development plans for the area, with the goal of creating a world-class bay area and urban agglomeration.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is at the heart of plans to develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. [Photo courtesy Xinhua]

Zhuhai has seen impressive development in recent years and its economic growth rate has been among the highest in Guangdong Province for four consecutive years, according to Yao. The Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and the provincial government have attached great importance to the development of the city, intending to build it into an important hub of the Greater Bay Area. It is also expected to become a core city of the Pearl River Estuary's west bank and a model of high-quality development for the coastal economic belt.

Because of this, Zhuhai is speeding up the construction of transportation infrastructure. It aims to serve as a transportation hub among cities in the Bay Area, facilitating the transit of people, goods, traffic, and capital across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. The city is also working to improve the investment environment, liberalize trade, and promote the relevant regulations.

Yao also said that Zhuhai will put heavy emphasis on the high-quality development of the manufacturing and modern service industries. More efforts will be made to attract quality service projects from Hong Kong and Macao and boost the development of local trade, tourism, exhibitions, logistics, finance, culture, and more. Hong Kong-funded enterprises are welcome to invest in Zhuhai and will be provided with excellent government services and an effective communication channel.

Hong Kong corporate executives are optimistic about Zhuhai, as the city's socioeconomic development situation has been promising in recent years. The two cities hope to continue developing through cooperation in various fields.