HKSAR gov't vows to fully seize opportunities in developing Greater Bay Area

HONG KONG - Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam on Monday welcomed the promulgation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by the central government.

Lam expressed gratitude to the central government for placing importance on HKSAR government's views in the process of drafting the plan, which sets out the directions guiding the Greater Bay Area's development.

A HKSAR government spokesperson described the plan as "a major development strategy in the country's reform and opening up in the new era."

The full implementation of the policies of "one country, two systems," "the people of Hong Kong governing Hong Kong," and a high degree of autonomy for the region, as well as acting in strict compliance with the country's Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law, are the guiding ideology for the Greater Bay Area's development, the spokesperson stressed in the statement.

The spokesperson said that the development of the Greater Bay Area will bring Hong Kong opportunities in two aspects, namely helping Hong Kong find new drivers for economic growth and advance the diversified development of local economy and industries, as well as expand the living and development space of Hong Kong residents.

"The HKSAR Government will fully seize the opportunities brought about by the development of the Greater Bay Area, integrate the needs of the country with the strengths of Hong Kong and fully leverage the market-driven mechanism, enabling Hong Kong to enjoy brighter development prospects amid its integration into the overall development of the country," said the spokesperson.

In accordance with the development plan released Monday, Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are listed as central cities and core engines for spearheading regional development, which will leverage their comparative advantages and strengthen the radiating effect in leading the development of nearby areas.

The HKSAR government will actively work with the relevant ministries and commissions of the central government, the Guangdong provincial government, and the Macao SAR government to jointly advance the development of the Greater Bay Area in accordance with the plan, the spokesperson said.