The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (XINHUA)

The development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in south China has become a focus of the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), known as Two Sessions. The draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for national economic and social development and the long-range objectives through the year 2035 unveiled on March 5 stated that China will promote the construction of the Greater Bay Area in an active and prudent manner.

The Report on the Work of the Government delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on the same day also mentioned that China will take firm steps to promote the coordinated development of the Greater Bay Area. This is the fifth time the area is included in the annual work report.

The development of the area is also a focus of NPC deputies and CPPCC members attending the Two Sessions. Su Quanke, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and Chief Engineer of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority, highlighted the importance of the transportation infrastructure of the Greater Bay Area.

In his proposal to the National Committee of the CPPCC, he suggested that a center should be established to coordinate the monitoring, operation and maintenance of key transportation projects and to apply unified standards for the operation of these projects, in a bid to alleviate problems of low efficiency and waste of resources in the current model.

He also called for the application of digital technologies to transportation projects. Referring to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as an example, he said the application of new technologies such as 5G, Beidou Navigation System, big data and three-dimensional digital modeling can further elevate the attraction and utility of the world-class bridge.

Huang Xiqin, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and Chairwoman of the Guangdong New Social Stratum Association, suggested optimizing the environment for innovation and entrepreneurship for the youth in Hong Kong and Macao, so that they can have better personal development in the Greater Bay Area.

After extensive surveys, Huang found that although governments at all levels have introduced many supportive policies for innovation and entrepreneurship in Hong Kong and Macao, young people find it difficult to access all of them. To this end, she suggested building an integrated online service platform to help Hong Kong and Macao youth make innovations and start business in Guangdong.

Zhu Dingjian, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mission Hills Group, a hospitality, sports and leisure firm based in Hong Kong, suggested the Greater Bay Area and other economically developed areas be selected as pilot zones for achieving carbon dioxide emission peak and neutrality in China during the 14th Five-Year Plan.

In his view, the Greater Bay Area ranks among the top in the country in terms of population density, number of buildings and demand for electricity, and therefore is in a good position to take the lead. Besides, the area has the strength to cover the huge investment required for carbon neutrality.

“As the core city of the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen has a total green building area of more than 100 million square meters, and it is the world’s first mega city to fully electrify public transportation. The pilot program can summarize Shenzhen’s practices and develop clear emission reduction and energy saving measures and action plans for different industries and cities," he said.

View of Shekou, Shenzhen (XINHUA)

In other proposals, Jiang Jianjun, an NPC deputy from Shenzhen, called on Shenzhen to take the lead in building free ports for international yacht tourism in the Greater Bay Area. He believes that the city is in a good position to do so, since it has become one of China’s main centers for yacht trading and consumption.

Wang Wenyin, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and Chairman of the board of directors of Amer International Group, a hi-tech corporation, suggested the Greater Bay Area build a university for the integrated circuit industry.

“The Greater Bay Area is leading in advanced manufacturing in China, with significant advantages such as policy support for innovation, high-level universities and research institutions, and a cluster of hi-tech firms. It has the responsibility to explore a model to train high-quality industry talents in a sustainable way," he said.