What is the GBA?

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) comprises the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, and the nine municipalities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province. The total area is around 56 000 km2. At the end of 2019, the total population is over 71 million, the GDP is USD 1,679.5 billion and GDP per capita is USD 23,371. To put these numbers into perspective, the total population of the GBA is bigger than the United Kingdom, Italy or South Africa. Most importantly, according to the figure of the World Bank, the GBA’s GDP of almost USD 1.7 trillion would rank 11th in the world, ahead of Russia, South Korea, Spain or Australia.

The publication of the Outline Development Plan for the GBA on 18 February 2019 signified a new milestone in the development of the GBA. Key strategies include:

• Spatial layout, namely building on the four core cities of Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen as core engines for regional development, leveraging the core cities’ comparative advantages in striving for excellence and achievements, and strengthening the radiating effect in leading the development of nearby regions;

• Policy measures for developing an international innovation and technology hub, expediting infrastructure connectivity, building a globally competitive modern industrial system, taking forward ecological conservation, developing a quality living circle for living, working and travelling, strengthening co-operation and jointly participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, jointly developing Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao co-operation platforms, as well as the implementation of the plan

• It supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong status as international finance, transportation and trade centres as well as an international aviation hub, making great efforts to develop the innovation and technology industries, and establishing Hong Kong

The Chief Executive set out the Government’s work focus in taking forward the development of the GBA:

• Consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as international financial, transportation and trade centres and aviation hub;

• Developing an international innovation and technology hub;

• Strengthening infrastructure connectivity;

• Expanding the scope of development for sectors in which Hong Kong’s strengths lie;

• Fostering youth innovation and entrepreneurship;

• Fully utilising Hong Kong’s international connections and networks to promote the GBA overseas and attract capital and talent to the GBA.

Click here for the full text of the Outline Development Plan.