(4 May 2018)

China Daily – On 4^th May, Dr Jonathan Choi, Standing Committee Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area Entrepreneur Union and Chairman of Sunwah Group, led a delegation of 20 entrepreneurs from the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area to meet with Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, to discuss about future development of the Bay Area. During the open discussion with delegates from various sectors, Mrs Carrie Lam shared that the Bay Area’s development need the support from not only the Central government but also the people in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, especially from entrepreneurs there.

Mrs Carrie Lam (right), Chief Executive of Hong Kong, met with Dr Jonathan Choi (left), Chairman of the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area Entrepreneur Union, on 4^th May 2018

Development of the Bay Area will remove barriers to development for Hong Kong

Mrs Carrie Lam highlighted that the topic of Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area attracts huge attention from Hong Kong citizens, as people place great expectation on the development of this area. Mrs Lam shared, with the “one country, two systems” policy, Hong Kong has the advantages in the overall development of the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area. However, how to fulfill all commitments, develop the Pearl River Delta and bring benefits to all parties, actually depends greatly on the Central government’s support. Furthermore, the local authorities in the Bay Area must cooperate as well as call for support from citizens and entrepreneurs.

Mrs Carrie Lam pointed out that the development in Hong Kong is currently facing two major obstacles – land and human resources. She said, “In the near future, the Bay Area’s development will help Hong Kong overcome these obstacles to participate in national development strategy and build a better future”.

The Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area Entrepreneur Union brings together representatives from various sectors

At the meeting, Dr Jonathan Choi shared, the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area Entrepreneur Union was founded on 18^th December 2017. Members of the Union consist of leaders of 6 different Chambers of Commerce in Hong Kong, the Macao Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Guangdong Federation of Industry and Commerce and many entrepreneurs from 9 cities in the Pearl River Delta. In other words, the Union gathers representatives from various sectors, from traditional to service and high technology, in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

Dr Jonathan Choi, Standing Committee Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area Entrepreneur Union and Chairman of Sunwah Group

Dr Choi pointed out, in 2016, total economic output of the Bay Area ranked first in China’s economic reform and open policy, ranked second among 4 largest bay areas in the world and only 15 billion USD lower than Tokyo bay’s economic output. It is expected that within 5 years, the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area will have the highest economic output among all the Bay Areas in the world. “The Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area has unlimited potential”, Dr Choi shared. He also highlighted that 11 cities in the Bay Area, including Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, etc. all have GDP per capita of more than 20,000 USD. The Bay Area will be an important driver for China’s economic growth, enabling the country to participate in globalization and promote scientific research. This area also has potential to become the focal economic zone along the Silk Road Economic Belt.

The management policy for the Bay Area will be issued at the end of May. The Entrepreneur Union will visit Guangzhou and Macao.

After the meeting, Dr Jonathan Choi held a press conference in Central District (Hong Kong) to share about the meeting between Mrs Carrie Lam and the Bay Area Entrepreneur Union. Dr Choi also noted that the management policy for the Bay Area will be issued at the end of May. Additionally, the dialogue between the government and representatives of various sectors and media will be held on 11^th June to explain in detail about this new policy. Dr Choi stated, “The dialogue will have 2 sessions, the first one will be hosted by the governments of Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao and the National Development and Reform Committee, the second one will be organized by representatives of various Chambers of Commerce in the Bay Area.”

In June 2018, the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area Entrepreneur Union will visit Guangzhou (in Guangdong province) and Macao Special Administrative Region to discuss with the local authorities and explore potential investment projects. Dr Choi affirmed that the Bay Area needs investment in various fields such as human resources, logistics, etc. Therefore, Dr Choi expressed his hope that investors will focus on these fields to promote sustainable development in the Bay Area.

Mrs Carrie Lam (seventh from left), took a photo with Dr Jonathan Choi (sixth from left) và other members of the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Bay Area Entrepreneur Union

Translate from: China Daily