Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Non-Fiction 2020complete | Page 59

Hopeful Future of the Greater Bay Area
GT (Ellen Yeung) College, Lo, Yuet Hei Forrest - 13
China has been an advancing country with stunning economic growth, and for the Greater Bay Area(GBA),
there’s no exception. What does the future GBA look like, and under what circumstances, can it achieve
high standards as an international centre?
Before we delve into the imaginations of its future, let us acknowledge some information of the GBA.
Firstly, according to a South China Morning Post article, ‘Greater Bay Area: 10 facts to put in perspective’,
the GBA accounts for 12% of China’s GDP, but only with 1% of its land, with Hong Kong, Shenzhen and
Guangzhou each delivering $300billion annually. A huge factor is Hong Kong and Macau being western
colonies, had world-leading advancements during the period, and later on, local governments mimicked the
region, transforming the southern area to have a diverse economy. These include tourism, entertainment in
Macau, and cargo-passenger hubs in Guangzhou, leading the area as a global trade complex.
Secondly, each of the 11 cities has special focuses, according to their designations. Utilizing the existing 4
downtowns as the core propulsion of development and growth, and the others will assist. The tall skylines
will be each an aviation hub and professional servicing, world-class entertainment complex and tourism
centre, national innovative economic core, and an integrated transport node and industrial centre,
respectively as Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. The other will be getting a foothold of
ecological development and technology industries, backing up the defining metropolises in the region.
Thirdly, this vision is already initiated by infrastructure constructions throughout the region. For example,
the Express Rail Link from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, massively shortened the commute, from 2 hours to
45 minutes only, enhancing intercity connections since September of 2018. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-
Macau Bridge is another prominent example, bringing the three cities within 45 minutes of drive just a
month later. Other projects are well underway, such as a road link over the estuary, namely the Shenzhen-
Zhongshan Link, expected to divert traffic from 2024.
After talking about the current projects and status of the GBA, let’s take a peek through the fabric of
spacetime, and talk about the spectacular achievements that the area will have.
In the heart of Shenzhen, there will be archologies topping up in the world’s most advanced cluster of
megapolises, technologically overwhelming due to the yearly increasing budget on researching, starting at
4% as for now, but now skyrocketing with expediential numbers of startup companies. Machines and
automation would have taken place, empowering the nation’s basic economy. Drones haze the sky with
their automatic deliveries, roaming every corner that people will go. Citizens are recognized with their
intelligent glasses, commanding them with their gestures. Rapid reclamation permits immense urbanization
and economic growth, while modular infrastructures allow for construction to reverse with minimal cost
and time, shifting their servicing areas conveniently without causing hassle.
Hong Kong will be packed with doctorates and PHDs to facilitate professional institutions and mega-tall
skyscrapers, hired for legislative and medical careers. Hills and cliffs will no longer pose as an obstacle for
uprising development, but a stepping-stone towards a leading servicing focal point. New development
won’t be careened over monuments and markets, to preserve Hong Kong’s irreplaceable character. Neon
signs will be still slanting on old buildings, and the Peak Tram will be still servicing. The colossal aviation
hub will be transformed into landing sites, to service reusable rockets that will revolutionize commutes
between nations.
Macau and Zhuhai will be distinguished as international resorts, with substantial and regular influx of
vacationists and entertainers, publicity of the GBA will be heard throughout the globe. Casinos and nonalcoholic
bars will fill up the town centre, whilst the luxurious hotels will monopolise the rest. Recreational