In a recent interview with Guangzhou Daily, Prof. Weixing Hu, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Director of the Centre for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Studies at the University of Macau, discussed the achievements and challenges of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and highlighted GBA’s contribution to China’s high-level opening-up, regional integration, and its prospects.
The Greater Bay Area has emerged as one of China’s most open and economically thriving regions since the central government issued its Outline Development Plan for Guangdon-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in February 2019. As a strong driver of economic development, the GBA now plays a crucial role in the country’s growth. It has made great progress in integrating its “9+2” city cluster, enhancing the standard of living for locals, and promoting unity over the last six years. Prof. Hu underlined the necessity of additional work to improve institutional openness, increase market integration, and adhere to international standards.
First, the GBA serves as a key hub for China’s high-level opening-up. It has a unique advantage in aligning with high-standard international trade and economic regulations. It aims to establish a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized economic environment through programs such as the Hengqin, Qianhai, Nansha, and Hetao plans. Building on the experiences of these initiatives, these reforms will have a spillover effect, driving broader institutional changes in trade, finance, and investment.
Second, the GBA needs to expedite mechanism cooperation and rule alignment among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao to fulfill its objective of becoming a world-class bay area. This includes improving cross-border production factor flows, enhancing the business climate, and utilizing significant platforms for collaboration. Prof. Hu emphasized the importance of transforming institutional differences into synergies and regional advantages into shared resources.
Thirdly, Hengqin’s development has progressed significantly, and initiatives like “Macao New Neighborhood Hengqin” have improved integration with Macao. Prof. Hu recommended strengthening infrastructure, attracting Macao residents to Hengqin for employment and residence, and advancing “hard connectivity” (infrastructure connectivity), “soft connectivity” (regulatory alignment), and “heart connectivity” (cultural and social integration) to support high-quality development.
Yet, Macao also faces challenges in acquiring talent and diversifying its economy. In addition to increasing Macao’s population to at least 1.5–2 million and employing Hengqin to create new institutional spaces, Prof. Hu suggested more ambitious and open talent programs. He highlighted the importance of developing emerging industries and fostering talent mobility within the GBA.
Thus, the GBA has made remarkable progress in regional integration and opening-up, but further efforts are needed to align with international standards, deepen institutional reforms, and attract talent. The success of initiatives like the Hengqin-Macao cooperation zone and Macao’s economic diversification will be crucial for the GBA’s future as a world-class bay area.
