Zhanjiang eyes big potential in Greater Bay Area

Zhanjiang, a city in southern China's Guangdong province, will make full use of its geographical advantage, and engage itself in developing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the city's mayor said.

The bay area consists of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region, and nine cities in Guangdong province. The central authorities aim to develop it into "a role model of high-quality development".

Jiang Jianjun, mayor of Zhanjiang and a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress, said the city has a good geographical position and a vast market.

Zhanjiang will not only actively integrate itself into the bay area's construction, but also take advantage of its geography, resources and industries to boost local development together with the Bay Area, Jiang said in a written reply.

Jiang said that the city, located in the southwest of Guangdong province, can play an important role in promoting the Bay Area's tourism and industrial development.

"The development plan for the Bay Area proposes the construction of a metropolitan area that is suitable for living, working and sightseeing. The building of Guangdong coastal highway needs Zhanjiang," Jiang said.

"Zhanjiang is an important part of Bay Area's tourism resources," he added.

The mayor said Zhanjiang can also support industrial development in the Bay Area. He said there is huge potential for the city and the Bay Area to cooperate in exploring the marine economy and utilizing marine resources. Universities, research institutions and companies from both sides can cooperate on marine technology innovation, he added.

The Greater Bay Area has been in the headlines recently, as it is expected to become a fresh leading force for national innovative development. Covering more than 56,000 square kilometers, the area is an enormous market with a population of 70 million and a gross domestic product of $1.5 trillion.

The country is committed to developing an international innovation and technology hub in the Bay Area, according to the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic regulator.

Li Xi, Party secretary of Guangdong province and an NPC deputy, said it is necessary to promote the construction of pivotal cities, and boost infrastructure connectivity and a modern industrial system, in order to develop the Bay Area into a world-class city cluster.

Guangdong will speed up the construction of a major transportation infrastructure, with world-class airports and ports, Li said at a plenary meeting of the Guangdong delegation attending the second session of the 13th NPC.

The province will continue to develop new industries, such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy, and foster a number of industries featuring strategic significance and international competitiveness, Li said.