This file photo dated Jun 29, 2022 shows a view of the Nansha Bridge, which links Guangzhou City and Dongguan City, in south China's Guangdong Province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was mentioned again this year in the central government’s work report, delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday, for the seventh consecutive year since 2016.
Li stressed the nation will promote the development of the Greater Bay Area and support Hong Kong and Macao in developing their economies, improving living standards, responding to Covid-19, and maintaining stability.
One of the strategic platforms of Guangdong-Hong Kong cooperation is the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone, but it still faces many difficulties, such as relatively separated management between the two cities
It is also the focus of many proposals by members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
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One of the strategic platforms of Guangdong-Hong Kong cooperation is the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone, but it still faces many difficulties, such as relatively separated management between the two cities, said Zhou Chunling, a member of the CPPCC National Committee.
She proposed establishing a unified leading office so that the two sides can jointly formulate a long-term development blueprint, and bring in talents, projects, and supporting facilities together.
In addition, she also advised that the customs requirements in the zone should be further relaxed, providing more convenient entry and exit visa arrangements for talents recognized by both sides.
The zone should also gradually relax or lift restrictions on cross-border capital usage to facilitate the flow of special funds for research and innovation, she said, adding that the entire zone should adopt Hong Kong’s tax system.
Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, member of the standing committee of the CPPCC National Committee and chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Entrepreneur Union, pointed out that Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis Development Strategy should be jointly carried forward with Shenzhen’s economic belt along customs ports.
We could learn from the model of the Hengqin zone in Zhuhai, which is jointly built, managed, and operated by two neighboring cities, and we can also share achievements and revenue together, he said.
Lin Xiaohui, member of the CPPCC National Committee, brought six proposals to Beijing this year, including cross-border cooperation among the insurance and logistics industries. He said that mutual recognition of professional qualifications should be further enhanced.
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He found many occupations, including teachers, accountants and new jobs in emerging industries, have still failed to directly start courses across the border.
As technology innovation is key to the development of the Greater Bay Area, the scale of qualification recognition should be expanded into new arenas like the internet and modern financial service industries, he explained. In addition, he also noted that associate degrees obtained in Hong Kong are not recognized by universities in Guangdong.
He suggested setting up a dedicated office to coordinate certificate recognition in order to accelerate the process.
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