我院院長葉桂平教授就《粵港澳大灣區發展規劃綱要》接受新華社英文網採訪


       2019年2月18日,我院院長葉桂平就中共中央、國務院印發《粵港澳大灣區發展規劃綱要》接受新華社英文網採訪。他表示對粵港澳大灣區的前景非常有信心,展望未來灣區能發展為一個具有創新性、豐富資源和良好機遇的世界級地區。以下為報導的部分內容:

 

 

Chinese authorities on Monday unveiled the outline development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, aiming to develop the region into "a role model of high-quality development."

The plan was released by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council.

Promoting the development of the Greater Bay Area is a major decision made by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, said an official in charge of the office of the leading group for developing the area.

"It is a national strategy General Secretary Xi Jinping has planned for, made decisions about and promoted in person," the official said.

 

STRATEGIC ROLE

The bay area consists of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR), as well as nine         cities in Guangdong Province -- Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing.

Covering a total area of 56,000 square kilometers, the bay area had a combined population of about 70 million at the end of 2017 and its gross domestic       product reached around 10 trillion yuan (1.48 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2017.

"As one of the most open and economically vibrant regions in China, the Greater Bay Area plays a significant strategic role in the overall development of the   country," says the plan.

The development of the area is hailed not only as a new attempt to break new ground in pursuing opening up on all fronts in a new era, but also a further step in taking forward the practice of "one country, two systems."

The plan covers the period from now to 2022 in the immediate term and extends to 2035 in the long term.

 

WORLD-CLASS CITY CLUSTER

The plan says the bay area will be turned into a vibrant world-class city cluster, a globally influential international innovation and technology hub, an important support pillar for the Belt and Road Initiative, a showcase for in-depth cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, and a quality living      circle for living, working and traveling.

Efforts should be made to build on the four core cities of Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen as core engines for regional development, continue   leveraging their comparative advantages in striving for excellence and achievements, and strengthen the radiating effect in leading the development of          nearby regions.

Setting development objectives, the plan says by 2022 the framework should essentially be formed for an international first-class bay area and world-class   city cluster that is vibrant and highly innovative with an optimized industrial structure, a smooth flow of various factors and a pleasant ecological environment.

By 2035, the bay area should have an economic system and a mode of development mainly supported by innovation, with its economic and technological    strengths vastly increased and its international competitiveness and influence further strengthened, it adds.

 

PLAN HAILED

The People's Daily hailed the plan, saying the Greater Bay Area facilitates the enrichment of the implementation of the "one country, two systems," creates   more opportunities for the socio-economic development of the two special administrative regions and for Hong Kong and Macao compatriots wishing to        develop careers on the mainland.

We must "free our minds, make active explorations and bold trials, and strive to play a pioneering role," the article says.

Both HKSAR and Macao SAR governments issued statements welcoming the promulgation of the plan.

Ip Kuai Peng, pro-rector of the City University of Macau, said he is confident that the Greater Bay Area will evolve into a vibrant, innovative world-class area with high efficiency, rich resources, a strong economy, and good opportunities.

"The high degree of resource flow and integration in the area will truly enhance the well-being of Macao residents," he said. "For example, the 'one-hour         living circle' will greatly facilitate the life and employment of bay area residents."