Can Hong Kong get fully behind the idea of a southern China megalopolis?
Ken Chu says the city should rise to the challenge of regional integration with Guangdong and Macau, to become part of a bigger and more vibrant economy
By fostering closer coordination and integration, Hong Kong would not need to relegate itself to a secondary position in this bigger regional economy. Illustration: Craig Stephens
There have been numerous calls for greater integration with Guangdong and Macau since the return of Hong Kong to China. In 2011, a paper termed “Study on the Action Plan for the Bay Area of the Pearl River Estuary” was rolled out jointly by authorities in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau to coordinate regional development. The term “bay area” is also found in Hong Kong’s strategic planning blueprint, the “Hong Kong 2030 Plus” plan.
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But this concept of closer integration was elevated to a national strategic level for the first time when Premier Li Keqiang ( 李克強 ) proposed building a “city cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area” in his government work report at the National People’s Congress meeting last week. Li pointed out that this would give “full play to the distinctive strengths of Hong Kong and Macau, and elevate their positions and roles in China’s economic development and opening up”.
The idea of closer integration between Hong Kong and its neighbours now has a broader strategic perspective.
Firstly, this “greater bay area” idea is in line with the nation’s goal to better manage its sprawling megalopolises for Beijing in the north, Shanghai in the central region and the “tri-cities” comprising Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong in the south, according to the head of the National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng (何立峰), who spoke at a press briefing a few days after Li’s delivery of the work report.
He told the media that the government is in the process of integrating Beijing with its adjacent cities, in Tianjin ( 天津 ) and those in Hebei (河北) province, through better transport links and a division of functions and roles. This integrated development plan for Beijing, he said, could serve as a model for city clusters such as the emerging greater bay area of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.
Visitors take photos of a light show at the Galaxy Macau casino and hotel in Macau. Under the plan for a greater bay area, Hong Kong – and Macau as well – is expected to leverage its strengths for this part of China. Photo: Bloomberg
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Under the plan, Hong Kong – and Macau as well – is expected to leverage its strengths for this part of China. I believe that when Li spoke of giving full play to our “distinctive strengths”, he means there should be no rivalry between Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangdong. No one will overshadow the others but each is slated to maximise its own edge in a complementary and coordinated fashion. By fostering closer coordination and integration, we would not need to relegate ourselves to a secondary position in this bigger regional economy.
