NPC deputies vow to deepen collaboration in Bay Area development

Deputies to the nation's top legislature called for extensive and in-depth collaboration to develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as the 11-city cluster offers unprecedented opportunities.

The three National People's Congress (NPC) deputies, from Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions respectively, made the call at the deputy passage at the Great Hall of People on Tuesday before the second session of the 13th NPC started at 9am.

Lin Shaochun, executive vice-governor of Guangdong, said that the two SARs' advanced expertise and rich experience in city management, market operation and investment and trade facilitation are what Guangdong could learn to boost its city development.

Meanwhile, the large market in Guangdong is what the two SARs could take advantage of to expand their business and trade, Lin added.

He also said that policies to enhance cross-border elderly care, medical insurance and recognition of professional qualifications are expected for residents from the two SARs.

Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong's member of the NPC Standing Committee, suggested regional governments within the Bay Area could study and launch more measures to offer convenience for Hong Kong people to work or run business on the mainland.

These measures will attract more Hong Kong people to seek opportunities in the Bay Area, Tam said.

Macao NPC deputy Kou Hoi-in, who is also the president of Directors Board of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, said that Macao will actively participate in the Bay Area development and seize opportunities to integrate into the nation's development. Kou also said he will collect opinions from various sectors of Macao to suggest proposals related to Greater Bay Area development.

The Bay Area comprises nine cities in Guangdong and the two special administrative regions. The central government unveiled the development outline of the region on Feb 18, aiming to turn the region into an international first-class bay area to rival the world's top city clusters in San Francisco, New York and Tokyo.