The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, together with the People's Government of Guangdong Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government held today (February 21) the Symposium on the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to introduce the contents of the Outline Development Plan and explore the development opportunities of the Greater Bay Area. Around eight hundred guests, representing relevant central ministries and various sectors of Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao attended the symposium.
 
     At the symposium, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mrs Carrie Lam; the Deputy Chairman of the Office of the Leading Group for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Mr Lin Nianxiu; the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ma Xingrui; and the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Chui Sai-on, delivered speeches respectively; while the Director General of the Department of Regional Economy of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Mr Guo Lanfeng, gave a briefing on the Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area.
 
     In her speech, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said that since the NDRC and the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, as witnessed by President Xi Jinping, signed on July 1, 2017 the Framework Agreement on Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation in the Development of the Greater Bay Area, the HKSAR Government has kept in close contact with relevant central ministries and the governments of Guangdong and Macao to draw up and introduce policies and measures for the development of the Greater Bay Area.
 
     She said that the Outline Development Plan is the best manifestation of the close cooperation amongst the three governments and their positive interaction with the central ministries. In the process of drawing up the Outline Development Plan, the HKSAR Government put great efforts into reflecting the views our bureaux and departments obtained from consulting relevant sectors and stakeholders. Mrs Lam thanked the Central Government for according much importance, and indeed accepting those views of Hong Kong.
 
     In setting out the opportunities for Hong Kong in taking part in the development of the Greater Bay Area, Mrs Lam said that under the "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong enjoys unique dual advantages. Hong Kong is a highly open and international city, with a business environment that is open and facilitating, and professional services that are of excellent quality. Our strengths can complement the advantages of the nine Mainland cities within the Greater Bay Area such as the size of their market, an all-rounded industry system and their relative strength in technology. In fact, taking forward the coordinated development of the Greater Bay Area is conducive to further enhancing Hong Kong's status as international financial, transportation and trade centres, as well as an aviation hub.
 
     Mrs Lam pointed out that "One Country, Two Systems" is not only Hong Kong's advantage in the Greater Bay Area, but it is also the key foundation for the internationalisation of the Greater Bay Area. The development of the Greater Bay Area will enrich the practice of "One country, Two systems" and is conducive to maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
 
     Mrs Lam also outlined the future work focuses of the HKSAR Government, namely: 
 

1. consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as international financial, transportation and trade centres as well as an international aviation hub;
2. developing an international innovation and technology hub;
3. expanding the scope of development for sectors in which Hong Kong's strengths lie;
4. strengthening infrastructural connectivity;
5. fostering youth innovation and entrepreneurship; and
6. fully utilising Hong Kong's international connections and networks to promote the Greater Bay Area overseas and attract capital and talents to the Greater Bay Area.

 
     Mrs Lam said that the HKSAR Government would spare no effort and do everything we can to take forward the development of the Greater Bay Area and under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, explore new development directions, expand fresh development space and give new development impetus for Hong Kong through our participation in the development of the Greater Bay Area.
 
     After the Symposium, Mrs Lam hosted a luncheon at Government House for visiting representatives from central ministries, the Guangdong Provincial Government, and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. At the luncheon, Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude for the support and assistance tendered by central ministries and the governments of Guangdong and Macao. They also exchanged views on matters relating to taking forward the development of the Greater Bay Area.
 
     In accordance with the guiding directions set out in the Outline Development Plan, the HKSAR Government will continue to maintain close contact with members of the Legislative Council, industries, business associations, professional bodies and relevant stakeholders, and listen to their views on how to effectively take forward the development of the Greater Bay Area. The Government will continue to discuss with relevant central ministries, and the governments of Guangdong and Macao to strive for policy innovation and breakthrough necessary for industries to expand their development opportunities in the Greater Bay Area.
 
     For the contents of the Outline Development Plan and the latest information about the development of the Greater Bay Area, please visit the dedicated website at bayarea.gov.hk and our new WeChat official account by searching Wechat ID "hkcmab".

Ends/Thursday, February 21, 2019
Issued at HKT 22:52

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