Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Maisie Chan (second left) visits the Greater Bay Area Information Station at the Hong Kong Central Library and introduces to the members of the public the diverse and informative content of the GBAIS on Aug 28, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – The first batch of the Greater Bay Area Information Station (GBAIS) digital information platform has commenced operation, according to Hong Kong’s Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau.

With a simple and easy-to-use interface, the GBAIS introduces to the public the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and useful information about the Bay Area cities, the government said in a statement on Monday.

Comprising nine cities in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, the 11-city cluster is home to over 86 million people and its gross domestic product was recorded at over 13 trillion RMB in 2022.

READ MORE: CE pushes GBA development with 'innovative policies'

The aim of the GBAIS is to enhance the understanding of different sectors of the community about the policy directions and facilitation measures for the high-quality development of the Bay Area.

The GBA is one of the most open and economically vibrant regions in the country.  It is also the best entry point for Hong Kong to better integrate into the overall development of the country.

Maisie Chan, Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area 

"The GBA is one of the most open and economically vibrant regions in the country.  It is also the best entry point for Hong Kong to better integrate into the overall development of the country,” Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Maisie Chan, said after visiting the GBAIS located at the Hong Kong Central Library on Monday.

She introduced to members of the public the diverse and informative content of the GBAIS and encouraged young people of the city to make good use of the significant opportunities brought about by GBA development.

The first batch of seven GBAISs has been set up at different spots across the city to disseminate rich information about the Bay Area, including the development timeline, and the development directions and policy measures in different areas.

The GBAIS also features short videos providing practical information for Hong Kong people and enterprises about living and developing in the mainland cities of the GBA, such as the application for residence permits, opening bank accounts, purchasing properties, education arrangements, taxation, healthcare and social security-related issues, etc.

ALSO READ: China to extend tax relief for overseas talent working in GBA

"Hong Kong has the institutional strength of 'one country, two systems', and also enjoys the distinctive advantages of having the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world,” Chan said.

Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Maisie Chan (back row, third left) is pictured with the youth ambassadors and staff members of the Greater Bay Area Information Station at the Hong Kong Central Library, Aug 28, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Youth ambassadors brief Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Maisie Chan (first right) on the GBAIS during the latter’s visit to the GBAIS at the Central Library, Aug 28, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

The HKSAR government will continue to make use of different channels to disseminate more positive information about the development of the GBA to local residents, enterprises as well as mainland and overseas stakeholders, she added.

READ MORE: Stronger GBA ties seen boosting HK's status as maritime hub

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office will gradually set up more GBAISs in different districts in Hong Kong for the convenience of users. The GBAIS content has also been uploaded on the SAR government’s GBA website for easy access by members of the public through the internet.