The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: A Strategic Pivot in China’s New Development Paradigm
By Sun Lei
Hong Kong Economic Herald
During the “Promoting High-Quality Development” themed press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO), Wang Weizhong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Governor of Guangdong Province, provided a detailed account of the measures and future plans Guangdong is taking to promote high-quality development. Wang cited General Secretary Xi Jinping, emphasizing Guangdong’s pioneering advantages in reform and development, as well as its exemplary role in high-quality development. He noted Xi Jinping’s high expectations for Guangdong, urging the province to focus and exert effort in leading high-quality development.
Wang revisited the General Secretary’s important speech during his visit to Guangdong last year, which highlighted the strategic position of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area within the new development paradigm. He pointed out that the General Secretary tasked Guangdong with focusing on high-quality development and the construction of a new development paradigm as primary objectives, leading the way in China’s modernization efforts. Specifically, the Greater Bay Area should become a strategic pivot, a demonstration area for high-quality development, and a leader in Chinese-style modernization.
To achieve this goal, the Guangdong Provincial Committee has fully implemented the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and the important instructions from General Secretary Xi Jinping’s inspection of Guangdong, making the “1310” detailed arrangements. These include setting the overall goal of “leading the way,” actively fostering the three major drivers of reform, opening up, and innovation, and striving to achieve ten major breakthroughs. Wang emphasized that for two consecutive years, Guangdong has held a provincial high-quality development conference on the first working day after the Spring Festival, seizing the major opportunities presented by a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Accelerating the dual strengths of industrial technology and developing new drivers of productivity are strategic and long-term measures for Guangdong.
Economically, Wang mentioned that Guangdong’s economic size accounts for approximately 1/10 of the country’s total, with last year’s GDP reaching 13.57 trillion yuan, maintaining the top position in the country for 35 years. The total number of business entities in Guangdong has exceeded 18 million, including 7.8 million enterprises, accounting for 1/7 of the national total. He stated that Guangdong has issued “fast, accurate, and solid” policies to stabilize expectations, growth, and employment, focusing on expanding investment, promoting consumption, and stabilizing foreign trade, striving to achieve the annual economic growth target of 5%.
Regarding the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Wang introduced the achievements made in the five years since the development plan’s outline was released. The central government has granted Guangdong significant opportunities to construct the Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen’s pilot demonstration area, and major platforms such as Hengqin, Qianhai, Nansha, and He’ao. He mentioned that on March 1st, the Hengqin cooperation zone achieved separate line management, marking a key step towards the integration of Hengqin and Macao. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Corridor and Huangmao Sea Passage are set to open this year, realizing one-hour accessibility between major cities in the Bay Area.
Wang also highlighted Guangdong’s progress in building new drivers of productivity, implementing the “High-Quality Development Project for Hundreds of Counties, Thousands of Towns, and Tens of Thousands of Villages,” advancing the construction of a green and beautiful Guangdong, and practicing the people-centered development philosophy. He concluded that Guangdong would continue to advance Chinese-style modernization, adhere to high-quality development, and welcome the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Through a series of initiatives, Guangdong has showcased the successful practice of the Chinese-style socialist modernization path at home and abroad, leading in high-quality development. The rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has made Guangdong an important bridge connecting China with the world, offering a new model for sustainable development, and providing a window for international observers to deeply understand the Chinese development model. Guangdong’s remarkable achievements in technological innovation, industrial upgrading, ecological protection, and social governance will continue to serve as a powerful reference and inspiration for the development of China and the world, demonstrating the global significance and impact of the Guangdong model.