Zhuhai officials and a visiting Hong Kong SAR delegation reached consensus on March 30 that they would cooperate in a broad way as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area develops.

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), led the delegation. She said the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) is a major force behind national development of the Greater Bay and predicted even better relations with Macao and Guangdong, but especially Zhuhai, later this year.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam [File Photo / China Daily]

The Hong Kong group visited Hengqin New Area and Novotown there, which is a culturally comprehensive and creative tourist destination led by Hong Kong-based Lai Sun Group.

Lam then suggested that employability and opportunities for Hong Kong youth should be expanded through cooperation. She cited the cultural and creative industry, scientific research, education, medical care, finance, tourism, and projects improving livelihoods. Respective competitive advantages, including the sharing of information, will enable an orderly flow of talent, logistics, capital, and information, she said. Strengthened policy implementation is required for mutual success, Lam added.

Party Chief Guo Yonghang, who welcomed the delegates on behalf of Zhuhai, said the city is important in the developmental strategy of the Greater Bay Area. He hoped that Zhuhai and Hong Kong would seize these historical opportunities, strengthen communication through frequent networking, and utilize respective resources and geographic advantages.

The cities should tap into potential cooperation in economic and trade relations, scientific and technological innovation, and public welfare projects. Youth exchanges should also be promoted to drive cooperation to a higher and deeper level and a wider range to achieve productive results, Guo added.

Also participating were Yao Yisheng, vice mayor of Zhuhai and deputy secretary of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee; Liao Jingshan, director general of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province; Wu Shi, secretary-general of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee; and Zhuhai Vice Mayor Zhu Qingqiao.