As a premier gateway for fostering connectivity, Hong Kong is set to accelerate the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the nation's high-quality growth.

The city will achieve this through continuously channeling global capital, fostering innovation and building cultural bridges, senior officials, industry leaders and experts told the Greater Bay Area Conference 2025 on Thursday.

Qu Yingpu, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, lifted the curtain on the high-profile conference with a pre-recorded welcome speech, which was followed by keynote speeches from Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

IN PICTURES: GBA conference: Driving new frontiers in cooperation

Leung emphasized the central government's vision for Hong Kong and Macao to actively integrate into the nation's development, stressing that upholding the principle of “one country, two systems” and promoting integrated development across the Greater Bay Area would “unleash huge energy similar to nuclear fusion”, driving developments on both sides.

Leung also highlighted the freer flow of people, goods, capital, and data as key pathways and objectives of the region’s integrated development. Noting the concrete progress in infrastructure and visa relaxation, Leung said collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangdong is now broader and deeper.

“Faster and easier cross-boundary journeys have brought about the flow of talents to cities where they are most needed and where they are most productive,” added Leung.

He expressed his firm belief in the huge untapped potential of Hong Kong's role as a “superconnector”, not only within the Greater Bay Area but also in linking the region with the rest of the world.

“For all sectors, there are opportunities, and for all opportunities, there are windows. Opportunities come and go, and the windows open and shut,” Leung said, calling for “better understanding” and more on-the-ground actions.

RELATED ARTICLES

• Foreign businesses banking on GBA as ‘heart of economic miracle
• GBA officials vow to further development
• Delegates impressed by Bay Area dynamism
• HK, SZ to boost joint action for high-quality GBA development

Following the theme of “Financial Connectivity, Nurturing Talent, Building Cultural Bridges”, the Greater Bay Area Conference 2025 — co-organized by China Daily and the Hong Kong Coalition — brought together over 300 guests, including executives from Fortune Global 500 and China 500 companies, think tanks, academics, media and experts from across Asia's public and private sectors.

Qu highlighted Hong Kong’s advantage in “value adding” by being the “superconnector”, pointing to the city’s newly-established “GoGlobal Task Force”, which will “make Hong Kong the primary channel for attracting international capital and technology”.

In the meantime, Qu said he believed the Greater Bay Area is set to “contribute to the national goal of scientific and technological self-reliance”, while the upcoming 15th National Games, which will be co-hosted by Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong, makes it “a magnet for domestic and international talents as well as tourists — a connector of cultures and civilizations”.

“The Greater Bay Area has the glorious mission of becoming a principal support of the new development paradigm and a pioneer of Chinese modernization. By pursuing high quality development and better integrating itself into China's overall development, the Greater Bay Area can well fulfill this mission and make an important contribution to national rejuvenation,” Qu added.

In a video speech, Lee underscored the city's unique position as the only city possessing both China and global advantages. Leveraging its common law system, competitive taxation, and bilingual talent pool, Hong Kong serves as a “premier gateway for co-operation, bridging people, trades, businesses, cultures and values across the region”.

The GoGlobal Task Force will support Chinese mainland enterprises in global expansion to “create important value for both our country and Hong Kong”, Lee added, emphasizing the importance of accelerating Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology center.

With strengthened talent cultivation and cultural exchange, particularly through the upcoming 15th National Games, Hong Kong continues to bridge the Greater Bay Area with global markets, Lee said.

The conference featured two panel discussions on innovative finance and talent development, plus a dialogue session on the National Games’ impact on local sports and culture sectors.

Panelists highlighted Hong Kong's “GoGlobal Task Force” initiative to support mainland firms' overseas expansion and facilitate capital flows. Discussions also focused on enhancing university-industry collaboration to drive technological advancement and leveraging the upcoming 15th National Games to boost regional integration through sports and cultural exchange.

They also discussed strategies for improving cross-regional coordination and advancing the Greater Bay Area as a benchmark for China's high-quality development.

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com