Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Non-Fiction 2020complete | Page 68

Greater Development for the Better Future
Immaculate Heart of Mary College, Chou, Cheuk Yan Ambrose - 13
Over the past decades, many of us were excited to see the blooming of Chinese economy, and we
wondered when we would be benefited from the growth of our country. The brighter future of the
development of China has been foreseen by many because of its comparatively stable economy. I was not
surprised when I heard about the plan to develop an even stronger economic zone within the country itself,
and the Greater Bay Area, the new area for the new development of China, will like nothing else but a
Silicon Valley in Asia.
It seems like something new to every one of us, however, it is not. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau
Greater Bay Area or simply Greater Bay Area (GBA), is a megalopolis, also known as the Pearl River Delta
which consists of nine cities and two special administrative regions in South China. Cities like Guangzhou,
Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Huizhou, and Zhaoqing and two special
administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macau are the core engines for the development.
It was indeed the right time to announce such an ambitious and amazing plan while people were looking
forward to having the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of
China. Though many can definitely see the ambitions of China in the Greater Bay Area to create an
innovate economy that is greater than that around San Francisco Bay, as the area is home to about 68
million people, and it has combined gross domestic product (GDP) which is worth about $1.5 trillion, and it
is approximately equal to that of South Korea or Australia. The area of GBA is the biggest among other bay
areas like Tokyo Bay Area and New York Metropolitan Area. It also has the highest number of annual
airport freight turnover, annual air passenger traffic and annual port container throughput.
It is believed that the development of GBA will take a further step to enhance and support the leading role
of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area in the economic development, technology
innovation and advanced manufacturing and modern services industries of China for the long term.
The plan for the Greater Bay Area is, of course, always in the spotlight of the world. A more watchful eye is
needed for carrying out the plan to ensure the gradual and successful development of the area. Therefore,
two missions and six principles are set for facilitating the work.
The first mission is to open up on all fronts. The recent continuing growth of China’s economy, showing
China can attract more countries in the world to invest and befriend with China. Therefore, China's
opening its market to the world is of utmost important for the development.
The second mission is taking a further step in implementing the practice of "One Country, Two System”
which is a policy used in Hong Kong and Macau after the handover. The freedom of speech, trade and
more is guaranteed by Chinese government to ensure the free flow of trade and the mobility of manpower
for keeping the prosperity of these two places.
To ensure the growth of the Greater Bay Area, six principles are introduced for the development of these
core cities. The first one is about innovation and reformation of China. The Chinese government will
support the establishment of a platform for developing the area into a global innovation and technology hub.
The second one is to coordinate development and plan holistically. It includes consolidating the integrated
development, using the existing connection channels for a more effective skill and manpower flow and
communication. With the development and opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB),
the transportation of people can be tackled seamlessly between these areas.
The third one is to pursue green development and ecological conservation. As there are more concerns
about environmental protection and getting green for the better world, there is no exception for the Greater
Bay Area to take part in it. Therefore, the development of the Greater Bay Area will also address the ways to
reduce pollutions.