(Courtesy Translation) 

Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area 

Contents 

Preamble 

Chapter One            Background of the Plan 

                   Section 1     Foundation of Development 

                   Section 2     Opportunities and Challenges 

                   Section 3     Significance of the Plan 

Chapter Two            Overall Requirements 

                   Section 1     Guiding Ideology 

                   Section 2     Basic Principles 

                   Section 3     Strategic Positioning 

                   Section 4     Development Objectives 

Chapter Three         Spatial Layout 

Section 3     Enhancing the Environment for Innovation in the Region 

Chapter Five            Expediting Infrastructural Connectivity 

Chapter Seven         Taking Forward Ecological Conservation 

Chapter Eleven        Implementation of the Plan 

                   Section 1     Strengthening Organisation and Leadership 

                   Section 2     Taking Forward Major Tasks 

                   Section 3     Preventing and Mitigating Risks 

                   Section 4     Broadening Social Participation 

Preamble 

 The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) consists of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) as well as the municipalities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province 

(hereinafter referred to as “the nine Pearl River Delta (PRD) municipalities”), covering a total area of 56 000 square kilometres with a combined population of approximately 70 million at the end of 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. The development of the Greater Bay Area is not only 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 Outline Development Plan (“the Plan”) has been formulated to fully put the spirit of the 19^thNational Congress of the Communist Party of China into practice; fully and accurately implement the principle of “one country, two systems”; fully leverage the composite advantages of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao; deepen cooperation among the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao; further enhance the Greater Bay Area’s supporting and leading role in the country’s economic development and opening up; support the integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the development of the country; enhance the well-being of Hong Kong and Macao compatriots; maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao; and enable compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao to share with the people in the motherland both the historic responsibility of national rejuvenation and the pride of a strong and prosperous motherland. 

 This Plan is an important outline document guiding the current and future cooperation and development of the Greater Bay Area.  The Plan covers the period from now to 2022 in the immediate term and extends to 2035 in the long term. 

Chapter One Background of the Plan 

 Ever since the reform and opening up of China, especially the return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland, cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao has continuously deepened and become more concrete. The Greater Bay Area, with a marked increase in its economic strength and regional competitiveness, already possesses the fundamental conditions for developing into an international first-class bay area and a world-class city cluster. 

Section 1 Foundation of Development 

 Distinctive geographical advantages.  Located at the forefront of China’s opening up along the coast and with the Pan-PRD Region as its vast hinterland for development, the Greater Bay Area plays an important role in the Belt and Road Initiative.  The Greater Bay Area is a highly developed transport hub.  With Hong Kong as an international maritime centre, major ports such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen with throughputs among the highest in the world, and Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen being important international aviation hubs, a modern and comprehensive transport system that is both convenient and highly efficient is rapidly taking shape. 

 Robust economic strength. The Greater Bay Area leads the country in terms of its level of economic development.  It has a comprehensive industry system, with a distinctive cluster advantage and strong economic complementarity.  Hong Kong and Macao have highly developed service sectors, whereas the nine PRD municipalities have initially developed an industrial structure driven by strategic emerging industries as the pilot and supported by advanced manufacturing and modern service industries as the mainstay.  In 2017, the gross domestic product of the Greater Bay Area stood at around RMB 10 trillion. 

 High concentration of key factors of innovation.  The Greater Bay Area has intensely implemented a development strategy which is innovation-driven, with pilot measures of comprehensive innovation and reform in Guangdong well underway.  The development of national innovation demonstration zones has been expedited.  Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have outstanding capabilities in scientific research and development (R&D) and commercial application, and are home to numerous universities, scientific research institutes, high-tech enterprises and large-scale national scientific projects that have important national and even global influence.  The Greater Bay Area is well-placed to attract various key factors of innovation, and has an excellent foundation for the development of an international innovation and technology hub. 

 Advanced level of internationalisation.  As international financial, transportation and trade centres, as well as an international aviation hub, Hong Kong offers a business environment that is highly internationalised and based on the rule of law.  It also has a global business network and is among the freest economies in the world.  Macao’s roles as a global tourism and leisure centre, as well as an economic and trade cooperation platform between China and Lusophone countries have been strengthened, further demonstrating its position in facilitating multi-cultural exchanges. As the economic region with the highest degree of external connection on the Mainland and an important window for opening up to the world, the nine PRD municipalities have significant functions and an important role to play in accelerating the establishment of a new system of open economy in the country. 

 Solid cooperation foundations. Hong Kong, Macao and the nine PRD municipalities share the same cultural roots.  Their people also have close ties and similar customs.  The cities complement one another.  Strengthened cooperation in recent years among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in areas such as infrastructural development, investment and trade, financial services, technology education, leisure and tourism, ecological and environmental protection, and social services has yielded remarkable results.  A pattern of multi-level and comprehensive cooperation has been established. 

Section 2 Opportunities and Challenges 

 The present world is fast becoming multipolar, economically globalised, information-oriented and culturally diverse.  The global governance system and the international order have been changing at a faster pace.  As countries worldwide have become more interconnected and interdependent, the trend of peaceful development is irreversible.  A new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation is set to begin.  The Belt and Road Initiative is being pursued in earnest.  These developments will help enhance the international competitiveness of the Greater Bay Area and expand the scope of the Greater Bay Area’s 

participation in international cooperation and competition at a higher level.  Following the new vision of development, China takes forward supply-side structural reform and other reforms aiming at better quality, higher efficiency, and more robust drivers of economic growth, bringing new impetus to the transformative and innovative development of the Greater Bay Area. Major breakthroughs have been made in the comprehensive deepening of reform.  The modernisation of China’s system and capacity for governance has been substantially enhanced.  These developments provide new opportunities for the Greater Bay Area to develop an institution and mechanism for, and to solve prominent problems encountered in, cooperation and development. 

 Meanwhile, the development of the Greater Bay Area faces many challenges.  The global economy is beset with uncertainty and instability as well as the rise of protectionism.  The economic development of the Greater Bay Area also confronts issues such as overcapacity and the imbalance and mismatch of the supply and demand structure.  The endogenous impetus for economic growth has to be strengthened.  Under “one country, two systems”, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have different social systems and legal systems.  They are separate customs territories.  Market connectivity needs to be further improved and an efficient flow of factors of production has yet to be attained.  There remains a relatively wide development gap within the Greater Bay Area and coordination and compatibility will need to be strengthened. Homogeneous competition and mismatch of resources exist in certain regions and sectors.  Continuous economic growth in Hong Kong lacks sustainable and stable support.  The economic structure of Macao is relatively homogeneous with limited resources for development.  The market economy structure in the nine PRD municipalities calls for improvement. Regional development faces various bottlenecks, including growing constraints on resources and energy supplies, escalating pressure on ecology and the environment, and a gradual reduction in the demographic dividend. 

Section 3 Significance of the Plan 

 The development of the Greater Bay Area and of a world-class city cluster will facilitate the enrichment of the implementation of “one country, two systems” and foster closer cooperation between the Mainland and the two SARs, thereby creating more opportunities for the socio-economic development of the two SARs and for Hong Kong and Macao compatriots wishing to develop careers on the Mainland, as well as maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao.  It will facilitate the implementation of the new vision of development; the stepping up of supply-side structural reform; the accelerated development of new economic drivers; and the early realisation of innovation-driven development to support the continued growth in innovation capability and competitiveness of the Chinese economy.  It will facilitate the further deepening of reform and further opening up; the building of a new system of open economy in line with international standards; and the development of a new platform for high-level international cooperation.  It will facilitate the advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative.  By means of two-way opening up, the Greater Bay Area will develop into an important support area for the convergence of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21^stCentury Maritime Silk Road. 

Chapter Two Overall Requirements 

Section 1 Guiding Ideology 

                       To fully apply Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese 

Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19^thNational Congress of the Communist Party of China, coordinate the implementation of the “Five-sphere Integrated Plan” and the “Four-pronged Comprehensive Strategy”, fully and faithfully implement the principle of “one country, two systems” under which the people of Hong Kong govern Hong Kong, the people of Macao govern Macao with a high degree of autonomy, act in strict adherence to the Constitution and the Basic Laws, remain committed to the new vision of development, fully understand and utilise the systemic strengths of “one country, two systems”, the unique strengths of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as the strengths of early and pilot implementation of reform and opening up in Guangdong, emancipate the mind and explore boldly, continuously deepen mutually beneficial cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, further establish a mutually beneficial relationship in regional cooperation, promote coordinated regional economic development, give new impetus to the development of Hong Kong and Macao, provide support for national supply-side structural reform, the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy and the building of a new system of an open economy, develop a vibrant and internationally competitive first-class bay area and world-class city cluster, and build a role model of high-quality development. 

Section 2 Basic Principles 

 To be driven by innovation and led by reform.  To implement the innovation-driven development strategy, improve the regional synergistic innovation system, pool together international innovation resources, and develop an internationally competitive innovation development area. To comprehensively deepen reform, encourage new breakthroughs in reform in key areas and core fields, reap the dividends of reform, and foster the convenient flow and optimal distribution of various factors within the Greater Bay Area. 

 To coordinate development and plan holistically.  To implement the coordinated regional development strategy, fully leverage the comparative advantages of different areas, strengthen policy coordination and planning interface, improve the positioning of different places in the region, promote coordinated development of urban and rural areas in the region, and continuously enhance the holistic nature of development. 

                       To pursue green development and ecological conservation.  

To vigorously take forward ecological conservation, establish the approach of green development, uphold state policies on saving resources and protecting the environment, implement the most rigorous ecological protection system, adhere to the most rigorous farmland protection system and the most economical land use system, promote the adoption of green and low-carbon production methods and lifestyles as well as modes of urban development and operation, provide a good ecological environment for residents, and facilitate sustainable development of the Greater Bay Area. 

                      To open up and cooperate and achieve a win-win outcome.  

To adopt the Belt and Road Initiative as an important focal point, develop a new system for an open economy, create a high-level platform for opening up, converge with high-standard trade and investment rules, and accelerate the development of new edges in international cooperation and competition.  To fully leverage the unique advantages of Hong Kong and Macao, create and improve the open cooperation systems and mechanisms in various fields, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between the Mainland and Hong Kong and Macao. 

 To share the benefits of development and improve people’s livelihood.  To uphold the philosophy of people-centred development, and enable all people to enjoy more benefits of reform in a more equal manner.  To better protect and improve people’s livelihood, increase the supply of quality public goods and services, continuously promote social equality and justice, and afford people living in the Greater Bay Area a fuller, more protected and more sustainable sense of fulfilment, well-being and security.

 To adhere to “one country, two systems” and act in accordance with the law.  To integrate the adherence to the “one country” principle and the respect for the differences of the “two systems”, stay committed to the basis of “one country”, and leverage the benefits of “two systems”.  To integrate the upholding of the Central Government’s overall jurisdiction and the safeguarding of a high degree of autonomy in the special administrative regions, respect the rule of law, and act strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Laws.  To integrate the needs of the country with the strengths of Hong Kong and Macao, fully leverage the market-driven mechanism, foster complementarity among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and achieve joint development.

Section 3 Strategic Positioning 

 A vibrant world-class city cluster. To leverage the advantages of Hong Kong and Macao as free and open economies and of Guangdong as the pioneer of reform and opening up, continue deepening reform and further opening up, lead nationally and set an example in developing institutions and mechanisms for high-quality economic development, expedite institutional innovation as well as early and pilot implementation, develop a modern economic system, better integrate into the global market system, build a global base of emerging industries, advanced manufacturing and modern service industries, and develop an internationally competitive world-class city cluster. 

 A globally influential international innovation and technology hub.  To target the most advanced technologies and industries in the world, strengthen the development of innovation platforms, vigorously develop new technologies, industries, as well as types and models of business, accelerate the process of developing an economic system mainly driven and supported by innovation; to steadfastly take forward the trial of comprehensive innovative reform, fully leverage the strengths of scientific R&D and industrial innovation of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, remove bottlenecks and constraints impeding the free flow of innovation factors, further stimulate various innovation entities, and build the Greater Bay Area into a hub of global technological innovation and an important source of emerging industries. 

 An important support pillar for the Belt and Road Initiative.  To better leverage the roles and functions of Hong Kong and Macao in the opening up of China, enhance the development of an open economy in the nine PRD municipalities, facilitate the effective connection between domestic and international markets as well as resources, participate in international economic cooperation and competition at a higher level, and develop an influential international transport and logistics hub as well as an international cultural exchange centre.  

 A showcase for in-depth cooperation between the Mainland and Hong Kong and Macao.  To rely on the good foundation for cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, fully leverage the functions of the key cooperation platforms in Qianhai of Shenzhen, Nansha of Guangzhou and Hengqin of Zhuhai, explore new modes of coordinated and synergistic development, enhance comprehensive and practical cooperation between the nine PRD municipalities and Hong Kong and Macao, facilitate the efficient and orderly flow of people, goods, capital and information, give new impetus to the development of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and set an example of closer cooperation between the Mainland and Hong Kong and Macao. 

 A quality living circle for living, working and travelling.  To firmly adopt the people-centred development philosophy, put into practice ideas on ecological conservation, make full use of modern information technology, achieve the smart management of city clusters, accord priority to livelihood projects, bring more convenience to the lives of people in the Greater Bay Area, raise the quality of living of residents, provide more convenience for Hong Kong and Macao residents studying, working, starting businesses and living on the Mainland, strengthen exchange and integration across different cultures, and build a beautiful bay area that is ecologically safe, environmentally attractive, socially stable and culturally vibrant. 

Section 4 Development Objectives 

 By 2022, the combined strength of the Greater Bay Area should increase substantially, the cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao should be deepened and broadened, the internal driving forces for development should be further enhanced in the region, and the framework for an international first-class bay area and world-class city cluster that is vibrant and highly innovative with an optimised industrial structure, a smooth flow of various factors and a pleasant ecological environment should essentially be formed. 

 ─Regional development should become more coordinated, and a city cluster which has a reasonable division of labour, complementary functions and coordinated development should basically be established; 

 ─ The environment for coordinated innovative development should be enhanced, the aggregation of factors of innovation should be accelerated, and the innovation capacities regarding new technologies and the commercial application of scientific and technological achievements should be significantly enhanced; 

 ─Supply-side structural reform should be further deepened, the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries should be accelerated, the core competitiveness of emerging and manufacturing industries should continuously increase, the digital economy should see rapid growth, and the development of modern service industries such as financial service should be expedited; 

 ─Infrastructural support and protection, such as transport, energy, information and water resources, should be further strengthened, and urban development and management should be further enhanced; 

 ─A green, intelligent, energy-saving and low-carbon way of production and lifestyle, as well as mode of urban development and management, should be established initially, and the lives of residents should become more convenient and happier;  

 ─There should be accelerated development of the new system of an open economy, greater connectivity among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao markets, more effective and efficient flow of various resources and factors of production, and more vibrant cultural exchanges.  

 By 2035, the Greater Bay Area should become an economic system and mode of development mainly supported by innovation, with its economic and technological strengths vastly increased and its international competitiveness and influence further strengthened; the markets within the Greater Bay Area should basically be highly connected, with very effective and efficient flow of various resources and factors of production; the coordination of regional development should remarkably improve, with the influence on neighbouring regions further strengthened; the people should become wealthier; the level of social civility should reach new heights, with cultural soft power demonstrably strengthened, Chinese cultural influence broadened and deepened, and exchange and integration between different cultures further enhanced; the levels of conservation and efficient use of resources should be significantly improved, the ecological environment should be effectively protected, and an international first-class bay area for living, working and travelling should be fully developed. 

Chapter Three Spatial Layout 

 To maintain an approach that is driven by poles, supported by axes and radiating to nearby areas, promote a rational division of labour and complementary positioning among large, medium-sized and small cities, further enhance coordination in regional development, facilitate the integrated development of urban and rural areas, and build a scientifically structured, compact and highly efficient bay area development framework. 

Section 1 Building a Spatial Network Driven by Poles and Supported by Axes

         Driven by poles.  To leverage the leading roles of the strong combinations   of      Hong Kong-Shenzhen, Guangzhou-Foshan         and Macao-Zhuhai, deepen cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as well as Macao and Zhuhai, expedite the integrated development of Guangzhou and Foshan, enhance their overall strength and global influence, and lead the Greater Bay Area in participating in international cooperation in great intensity. 

 Supported by axes.  To rely on a rapid transport network involving mainly high-speed rails, intercity railways and high-grade motorways, as well as port and airport clusters, build regional economic development axes, and form an efficiently connected spatial network of major cities.  To better utilise the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, speed up the construction of key transport infrastructures such as the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge and the Shenzhen-Maoming Railway, enhance the level of development on the west bank of the Pearl River, and foster development synergy between the east and west banks of the Pearl River. 

Section 2 Improving the Development System of the City Cluster and Towns 

 To improve the core cities. 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. 

–    Hong Kong.  To consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as international financial, transportation and trade centres as well as an international aviation hub, strengthen its status as a global offshore Renminbi (RMB) business hub and its role as an international asset management centre and a risk management centre, promote the development of high-end and high value-added financial, commercial and trading, logistics and professional services, etc., make great efforts to develop the innovation and technology industries, nurture emerging industries, establish itself as the centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region, and develop into an international metropolis with enhanced competitiveness.  

–    Macao.  To develop into a world-class tourism and leisure centre and a commerce and trade cooperation service platform between China and Lusophone countries, promote an appropriate level of diversified economic development, and develop into a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist.   

–    Guangzhou. To fully leverage its leading function as a national core city and an integrated gateway city, comprehensively strengthen its functions as an international commerce and industry centre and integrated transport hub, enhance its function as technological, educational and cultural centres, and develop into a global metropolis.   

–    Shenzhen.  To leverage its leading role as a special economic zone, a national economic core city and a national innovation city, expedite its transformation into a modern and international city, and strive to become a capital of innovation and creativity with global influence. 

 To develop the key node cities. To support Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing in fully leveraging their strengths, deepen reform and innovation, enhance the composite strengths of the cities, and form key node cities with distinct characteristics, complementary positioning and strong competitiveness.  To enhance coordination in development, strengthen interaction and cooperation with core cities, drive the development of towns nearby with distinct characteristics, and jointly raise the development quality of the city cluster. 

 To develop towns with distinct characteristics.  To fully leverage the advantage of the nine PRD municipalities in having numerous large and sizeable towns with distinct characteristics, nurture towns with charm and distinct characteristics, improve municipal infrastructure and public services and facilities, develop specialty industries, pass on traditional culture, and form a strong support for enhancing the regional development layout. To develop smart towns, commence experiments in the application of smart technology, promote innovation in institutions and mechanisms, and explore the model of developing future cities.  To accelerate administrative system reform in large towns, and continuously expand the functions of extra-large towns on the basis of reducing administrative costs and increasing administrative efficiency. 

 To promote integrated development of urban and rural areas.  To establish a holistic system and policy framework for integrated development of urban and rural areas, promote integrated urban-rural development in the nine PRD municipalities, raise the quality and level of urbanisation, and develop liveable urban-rural areas with Lingnan characteristics.  To strengthen guidance on classification, rationally delineate areas with different functions, improve spatial layout, and foster compact urban-rural development.  To enhance the level of integration regarding infrastructural development in urban-rural areas, promote urban renewal based on local conditions, redevelop villages in cities and combine small villages, step up the development of ancillary facilities, and improve living conditions for urban and rural residents. 

Section 3 Radiating the Development to the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region 

 To leverage the radiating and leading function of the Greater Bay Area, coordinate the productivity layout of the nine PRD municipalities and eastern, western and northern Guangdong, and foster development in nearby areas at a faster pace. To develop a key economic support zone with the Greater Bay Area as its vanguard and the Pearl River-Xijiang economic zone as its hinterland, propel development in South Central China and Southwest China as well as Southeast and Southern Asia.  To improve the transport network from the Greater Bay Area to other provinces and regions in the Pan-PRD region, enhance regional cooperation, progressively develop “enclave economies”, facilitate the flow of factors of production and relocation of industries in the Pan-PRD region, and establish a stratified and complementary industrial cooperation system with a reasonable division of labour.  To rely on coastal railways, high-grade motorways and major ports, and achieve synergistic development between the Greater Bay Area and the Western Taiwan Strait as well as the Beibu Bay city clusters.  To rely on transport routes such as high-speed rails, mainline railways and motorways, deepen cooperation and exchange between the Greater Bay Area and the South Central Region and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and strengthen the radiating and driving effect of the Greater Bay Area on the Southwest Region. 

Chapter Four Developing an International Innovation and Technology Hub 

 To implement the innovation-driven development strategy in great intensity, deepen innovation cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, build an open community for coordinated innovation in the region that encompasses integrated development, pool together international innovation resources, enhance the innovation system and policy environment, focus on enhancing the capability for the commercial application of technological achievements, and develop a focused area of global technological innovation and a major source of emerging industries. 

Section 1 Building an Open Community for Coordinated Innovation in the Region 

 To strengthen cooperation in innovation and technology.  To better leverage the functions of the Mainland/Hong Kong and Mainland/Macao Science and Technology Co-operation Committees, and promote the integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the national innovation system thereby enabling them to play more important roles.  To fully leverage the technological and industrial strengths of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, actively attract and connect global innovation resources, and develop an open and interconnected system with reasonable layout for regional innovation.  To pursue the development of the “Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao” innovation and technology corridor, explore policy measures to facilitate the cross-boundary and regional flow of innovation elements such as talents, capital, information and technologies, and jointly develop a Greater Bay Area big data centre as well as platforms for international innovation.  To expedite the development of national innovation demonstration zones, demonstration bases for entrepreneurship and innovation as well as co-working space, support the establishment of mechanisms for their innovation and entrepreneurship exchanges with Hong Kong and Macao, share innovation and entrepreneurship resources, jointly improve the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, and provide more opportunities and better conditions for young people from Hong Kong and Macao to innovate and set up businesses.  To encourage Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao enterprises and scientific research institutes to participate in international innovation and technology cooperation, jointly organise events on innovation and technology, support enterprises in setting up R&D institutes and bases for innovation incubation overseas, and encourage domestic and foreign investors to set up R&D institutes and innovation platforms in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.  To support the establishment of the Belt and Road Life Science and Technology Advancement Alliance by relying on the China National GeneBank in Shenzhen. To encourage higher education institutions, R&D institutes and enterprises from other regions to participate in events on innovation and technology in the Greater Bay Area. 

 To enhance building of basic innovation capacity.  To support the development of major technological infrastructure facilities, R&D institutes as well as innovation platforms in the Greater Bay Area. To progressively open up to Hong Kong and Macao the major national R&D infrastructure facilities and large-scale national R&D equipment located in Guangdong.  To support relevant institutes in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to proactively participate in national technological programmes (special projects, funding, etc.).  To strengthen applied basic research, and broaden the implementation of major national technological projects.  To support the incorporation of measures of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in relation to deepening the reform of innovation systems and mechanisms into the pilot scheme of comprehensive innovation reform. 

 To enhance the in-depth integration of industries, academia and research.  To develop a system of technological innovation built up primarily by enterprises, led by market forces and with an in-depth integration of industries, academia and research, support Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao enterprises, higher education institutions and R&D institutes in jointly developing quality collaborative platforms for coordinated innovation, and promote the commercial application of technological achievements.  To implement the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao collaboration programme in innovation and technology and the Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme, and support the establishment of an innovation alliance of industries, academia and research in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. 

Section 2 Developing Quality Innovation and Technology Carriers and Platforms 

         To    accelerate    the     development         of      major         technological infrastructure facilities, platforms of cross-study as well as emerging frontier researches in the Greater Bay Area, and focus on raising the standards of basic research.  To optimise the allocation of resources for innovation, and develop and nurture a batch of platforms for technological innovation for industries, manufacturing innovation centres and enterprise technological centres.  To take forward the development of national innovation demonstration zones, progressively commence the expansion of national high-tech industrial development zones, and develop high-tech industrial development zones into regional nodes of innovation and key bases for the high-end development of industries.  To take forward military-civilian integration in innovation development in the nine PRD municipalities, and support the establishment of a demonstration zone of military-civilian integration in innovation development.  To support the development of major carriers for innovation such as the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park and the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City, the innovation and technology base in Qingsheng of Nansha, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao in Hengqin.  To support the development of the five Hong Kong R&D Centres respectively for Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech, Textiles and Apparel, Information and Communications Technologies, Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems, and Nano and Advanced Materials, as well as the development of the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hong Kong Cyberport.  To support the setting up of a platform for developing the traditional Chinese medicine science and technology industries in Macao.  To take forward the development of Partner State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong and Macao.     

Section 3 Enhancing the Environment for Innovation in the Region 

 To deepen reform of innovation systems and mechanisms in the region.  To study policies and measures to implement facilitation relating to immigration and customs clearance, working, living as well as the flow of goods within the Greater Bay Area, and encourage interaction and exchanges between technological and academic talents.  To allow eligible higher education institutions and R&D institutes in Hong Kong and Macao to apply for Mainland technology projects, and use relevant funding on the Mainland as well as in Hong Kong and Macao according to the regulations.  To support the setting up of special funding schemes for joint innovation projects by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, commence cooperation in major R&D projects, and allow the cross-boundary use of related funds in the Greater Bay Area. To study and formulate a specialised plan to enhance the management of the cross-boundary use of medical data and bio-samples such as blood necessary for R&D cooperation projects in designated higher education institutions, R&D institutes and laboratories in the Greater Bay Area, and foster the research and development of clinical medicine.  To enable Hong Kong and Macao R&D institutes in Guangdong to enjoy the same treatment as other Mainland R&D institutes, enjoy various national and provincial (Guangdong) policies in support of innovation, and encourage as well as support them to participate in Guangdong technology programmes.  To initiate pilot projects for the securitisation of intellectual property (IP). 

                          To promote the commercial application of technological 

achievements.  To innovate the system as well as improve the environment, and develop the Greater Bay Area into a base for the commercial application of technological achievements with international competitiveness.  To support Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in establishing in-depth collaboration in areas such as entrepreneurship and incubation, financial technologies, commercial application of technological achievements, international technology transfer and the technology services industry, and jointly develop platforms for the commercial application of achievements such as national level bases for the incubation of technological achievements and bases for start-up businesses and employment for young people from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.  To develop a number of Hong Kong and Macao-oriented incubators of technology enterprises in the nine PRD municipalities, and provide convenience to higher education institutions and R&D institutes in Hong Kong and Macao to transfer and apply their advanced technological achievements.  To support the setting up of a national demonstration zone for the transfer and commercial application of technological achievements in the nine PRD municipalities.  To fully leverage the roles of capital markets and financial services of Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, etc., and join hands in developing a diversified, international and cross-regional system for innovation and technology investment and financing.  To make great efforts in broadening channels of direct financing, rely on the regional equity trading market, and develop a supporting platform for technology, innovation and financial services.  To support the engagement of Hong Kong’s private equity funds in the financing of innovation and technology enterprises in the Greater Bay Area, allow eligible innovation and technology enterprises to secure listing in Hong Kong for capital financing, and develop Hong Kong into a financing centre for high-tech industries in the Greater Bay Area. 

 To step up the protection and exploitation of IP.  To capitalise on the IP collaboration mechanisms of Hong Kong/Guangdong, Macao/Guangdong and the Pan-PRD region, and strengthen cooperation in areas such as IP protection and training of IP professionals in a comprehensive manner in the Greater Bay Area.  To step up IP administrative law enforcement and judicial protection, better leverage the roles of institutions such as the Guangzhou Intellectual Property Court, and strengthen law enforcement actions in key fields and sectors such as e-commerce as well as import and export.  To strengthen international cooperation in areas such as IP creation, exploitation, protection and trading, and establish a comprehensive cooperation mechanism for cross-boundary IP cases.  To capitalise on existing trading venues, promote IP transactions, and foster a reasonable and effective flow of IP.  To launch market publicity on the regulatory regimes for IP protection and take forward the “No Fakes Pledge” Scheme.  To leverage the radiating function of zones with a concentration of the IP services industry, promote the integrated development of high-end IP services and industries in the region, and promote alternative dispute resolution (including arbitration, mediation and consultation) as a means to resolve IP disputes.  To fully leverage the advantages of Hong Kong in IP protection and related professional services, and support the development of Hong Kong as a regional IP trading centre. To continuously enrich, develop and improve the IP protection system that is conducive to stimulating innovation. To develop a mechanism and platform for the exchange and sharing of IP-related information in the Greater Bay Area. 

Chapter Five Expediting Infrastructural Connectivity 

         To strengthen infrastructural development, enhance external and internal connectivity, take forward the establishment of an infrastructural network with a rational layout, comprehensive functions, smooth connections and efficient operations, and provide solid support for socio-economic development in the Greater Bay Area. 

Section 1 Building a Modern Comprehensive Transport System 

 To enhance the international competitiveness of the PRD port cluster.  To consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime centre, support Hong Kong’s development of high-end maritime services such as ship management and leasing, ship finance, marine insurance as well as maritime law and dispute resolution services, and provide such services to Mainland and Macao enterprises.  To increase the overall capacity of international shipping services of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, further enhance the service capacity of infrastructural facilities including ports and fairways, form a complementary and mutually beneficial system of port, shipping, logistics and ancillary services with Hong Kong, and strengthen the port cluster’s overall international competitiveness.  To focus on major coastal ports, and improve the cargo distribution and transport network of inland waterways, port railway lines and motorways, etc.. 

 To develop a world-class airport cluster.  To consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub, strengthen its role as an aviation management training centre, raise the competiveness of Guangzhou’s and Shenzhen’s airports as international hubs, strengthen the functions of airports such as those in Macao and Zhuhai, and pursue differential development and positive interaction of airports in the Greater Bay Area.  To support the construction of the Three-Runway System at the Hong Kong International Airport as well as the reconstruction and expansion of Macao’s airport, carry out reconstruction and expansion works at the airports in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc., commence a preliminary study for the construction of a new airport in Guangzhou, and study the development of a batch of feeder airports and general aviation airports.  To further expand the Greater Bay Area’s domestic and international aviation networks, and proactively take forward inter-modal code sharing service.  To leverage Hong Kong’s strengths in financial and logistics services, and develop high value-added freight, aircraft leasing and aviation financing services, etc..  To support Macao’s airport in developing regional business aircraft services.  To strengthen airspace coordination and air traffic management collaboration, optimise airspace structure, enhance the efficiency of the utilisation of airspace resources, and enhance air traffic management capacity.  To deepen management reform in low-altitude airspace, expedite the development of general aviation, steadily develop cross-boundary helicopter services, and set up general aviation demonstration zones in Shenzhen and Zhuhai.  To proceed with the setting up of airport economy zones in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. 

 To ensure the smooth flow of comprehensive external transport links.  To improve comprehensive transport links connecting the Greater Bay Area with nearby provinces and regions via eastern, western and northern Guangdong.  To take forward the construction of railway projects including those between Ganzhou and Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shanwei, Shenzhen and Maoming as well as Cenxi and Luoding, take forward the preliminary work of regional routes including the railway between Guangzhou and Hai’an via Maoming and Zhanjiang as well as the railway between Liuzhou and Zhaoqing at appropriate junctures, and study the feasibility of further extending the railway between Guangzhou and Qingyuan.  To progressively carry out expansion and modification works for busy sections of national motorways such as the Shenyang-Haikou Expressway (G15) and the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway (G4).  To speed up the construction of major international land routes connecting the Pan-PRD region and countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with Guangdong’s outbound motorways, the high-speed rails and express railway lines as the backbone, as well as Guangzhou and Shenzhen as the hubs. 

 To build a rapid transport network in the Greater Bay Area.  To focus on connecting the Mainland with Hong Kong and Macao, as well as connecting the east and west banks of the Pearl River Estuary, build a rapid inter-city transport network mainly involving high-speed rails, inter-city railway links and high-grade motorways, and strive for reducing travelling time among major cities within the Greater Bay Area to one hour or less.  To draw up a development plan for inter-city railway links in the Greater Bay Area, improve the backbone railway networks of the Greater Bay Area, speed up the construction of inter-city railways, and progressively plan urban railway transit projects in major cities of the PRD.  To accelerate the construction of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge and the Second Humen Bridge cross-river link.  To adopt new models for clearance procedures with a view to making better use of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.  To take forward the planning and construction of new boundary crossings such as the 

Liantang/Heung   Yuen    Wai   Boundary     Control     Point,    the     new

Guangdong-Macao border access (Qingmao Boundary Control Point), Hengqin Port (exploring the relocation of the Cotai Frontier Port of Macao) and West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.  To strengthen Hong Kong’s and Macao’s transport connections with the Mainland, pursue the effective connection of various modes of transport including urban railway transit, develop a safe and efficient interchange system, enhance the handling capacity and clearance facilitation of control points in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and promote an efficient and convenient flow of people and goods. 

 To raise the standards of passenger and cargo transport services.  To pursue the objective of seamless passenger interchange and cargo movements, improve the layout of major transport facilities, proactively connect railway trunk lines, inter-city railway lines and urban/suburban railway lines with airports, and enhance the cargo distribution and transport capacity of airports.  To speed up the development of a Guangzhou-Shenzhen international integrated transport hub.  To pursue public inter-city passenger transport service operations in the Greater Bay Area, and promote the use of a single ticket for all connecting trips and a single card for all modes of transport.  To develop modern freight and logistics systems, and expedite the provision of railway-water, motorway-railway, air-railway and river-sea inter-modal transport, as well as “single cargo manifest” services.  To accelerate the development of a smart transport system, and pursue an innovative integrated application of information technology, such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing and big data, in the field of transport. 

Section 2 Enhancing and Upgrading Information Infrastructure 

                     To develop a new generation of information infrastructure.  

To expand the bandwidth capacity of broadband internet among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, make comprehensive planning for the next generation network based on Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), and take forward the IPv6 upgrading and transformation of backbone network, metropolitan area network, access network, internet data centre and support systems.  To speed up the expansion of bandwidth capacities of international internet communication gateways, and enhance overall traffic handling capabilities. To promote the development of wireless broadband systems in the PRD city cluster, and achieve full coverage of free high-speed wireless local area network in hotspots and along main transport routes within the Greater Bay Area.  To achieve full fibre access for the provision of fixed broadband services in cities.  To develop an ultra-high-definition interactive digital family network. 

 To build smart city clusters. To take forward new smart city pilot demonstrations as well as the development of a national big data integrated pilot zone in the PRD, strengthen cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao on smart cities, explore the establishment of common standards, open up data ports, develop interconnected public application platforms, develop information infrastructure facilities including a comprehensive sensor network with full coverage and ubiquitous internet, a smart city spatiotemporal cloud platform and a spatial information service platform, and devote great efforts to develop smart transport, smart energy, smart municipal management and smart communities.  To take forward the mutual recognition of electronic signature certificates, and promote the use of electronic signature certificates in fields such as public services, finance as well as trade and commerce.  To jointly promote connections between electronic payment systems in the Greater Bay Area.  To enhance the service capabilities of telecommunications enterprises, take various measures to achieve reasonable reductions in telecommunications service fees, facilitate reductions in long-distance and roaming charges for mobile phones among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, proactively launch a feasibility study on removing long-distance and roaming charges for mobile phones among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and lay the foundations of as well as provide support for the development of smart cities. 

 To enhance the level of cyber security protection.  To strengthen the protection of communication networks, major information systems and data resources, enhance the reliability of information infrastructure, and raise the level of information security protection.  To proactively promote the use of advanced technology in cities such as Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and facilitate the use of secure communications technology in government departments and financial institutions, etc..  To put in place a sound notification and warning mechanism for cyber and information security matters, step up real-time surveillance, notification and warning as well as emergency response, and establish a comprehensive cybersecurity defence system. 

Section 3 Developing an Energy Security Protection System 

 To enhance the energy supply structure.  To vigorously carry out supply-side structural reform in the energy sector, improve the energy structure and network in the Greater Bay Area, and develop a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy supply system.  To vigorously develop green and low-carbon energy, expedite the use of natural gas and renewable energy, progressively develop wind power resources, develop solar photovoltaic electricity generation and biomass energy with appropriate modifications in accordance with local conditions, develop the safe and efficient use of nuclear power, vigorously take forward the clean and efficient use of coal, control overall coal consumption, and continuously increase the ratio of clean energy. 

 To strengthen the energy storage and transport system.  To step up the construction of the main grid that transmits electricity to the Greater Bay Area from peripheral areas as well as among cities in the Greater Bay Area, improve electricity transmission and distribution networks in towns, and enhance the transmission capacity and risk resistance capacity of electricity networks.  To expedite the construction of large petroleum reserve bases in the PRD, facilitate the coordinated construction of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and the upgrading of the storage and regasification capacities of existing LNG terminals, plan the construction of feeder pipelines based on the national natural gas backbone network, expand the coverage of oil and gas pipelines, and increase oil and gas storage and supply capacities.  To pursue the construction of national coal reserve bases in Guangzhou and Zhuhai, and put in place a cascade system of coal reception, transit and storage.  To explore ways to improve the electricity transmission networks and gas pipelines from Guangdong to Hong Kong and Macao, and ensure the safe and stable supply of energy to Hong Kong and Macao. 

Section 4 Strengthening Protection for the Security of Water Resources 

 To improve water infrastructure. To uphold the priority of water conservation, and vigorously pursue works projects for saving and conserving water such as the utilisation of rainwater and floodwater resources.  To enforce the most stringent system of water resource management, accelerate the enactment of legislation for the regulation of water volume of the Pearl River, and rigorously enforce the unified regulation and management of water resources of the Pearl River.  To expedite the PRD water resource allocation project and the fourth Macao water supply pipeline works, step up construction works relating to the safety standard compliance of potable and emergency water sources and the prevention and control of environmental risks, and ensure the safe supply of water in the PRD as well as Hong Kong and Macao.  To enhance cooperation and exchanges in water technology and resources among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. 

 To improve flood prevention and mitigation systems.  To actively pursue major infrastructure works including the strengthening of seawalls and river banks of the Pearl River and its tributaries, and strive to improve the integrated prevention and mitigation systems for floods and typhoons.  To strengthen the integrated management and protection of the Pearl River Estuary, and take forward the management of the system of rivers and lakes in the PRD.  To enhance the internal drainage systems and water holding capacity in cities, develop and improve the flood and storm surge prevention as well as drainage systems in Macao, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, etc., and effectively solve the problem of urban flooding.  To pursue reinforcement works for high-risk reservoirs and sluices, and comprehensively remove safety hazards.  To step up hydrological and water resource monitoring at the Pearl River Estuary, jointly develop a system for disaster monitoring and warning, collaborative prevention and control as well as emergency response, and increase the ability to respond to disasters such as floods and storm surges. 

Chapter Six Building a Globally Competitive Modern Industrial System 

         To deepen supply-side structural reform, strive to nurture new industries, new types and new models of businesses, support the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, expedite the development of advanced manufacturing and modern service industries, raise industries’ levels of development to advanced international standards, promote the complementarity, close cooperation and interconnected development of industries, and nurture the development of a number of world-class industry clusters. 

Section 1 Expediting the Development of the Advanced Manufacturing Industry 

 To enhance the core competitiveness of the manufacturing industry.  To concentrate efforts in expediting the development of the country into a leading manufacturing power, and enhance the ecosystem of innovation development for the manufacturing industry in the PRD.  To actively promote in-depth integration of the internet, big data and artificial intelligence with the real economy, vigorously pursue the transformation, upgrading and optimised development of the manufacturing industry, strengthen the division of labour and collaboration among different industries, enhance in-depth cooperation between upstream and downstream industries along the industry chain, and develop an advanced manufacturing base with international competitiveness. 

 To optimise the layout of the manufacturing industry.  To raise the development level of the national demonstration bases for new industrialisation, develop an industrial belt for advanced equipment manufacturing on the west bank of the Pearl River spearheaded by Zhuhai and Foshan, and develop a globally influential and competitive cluster of world-class high-end manufacturing industries, such as electronic communications, on the east bank of the Pearl River with Shenzhen and Dongguan as its core.  To leverage the strengths of Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in innovation and R&D as well as their high concentration of headquarters bases for enterprises, together with the advantages of having complete industry chains in Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, etc., enhance collaboration and connectivity among industries in the Greater Bay Area, and raise the level of coordinated development. To support municipalities such as Dongguan in transforming and upgrading traditional industries, and support Foshan in launching pilot projects for integrated reform in manufacturing transformation and upgrading.  To support Hong Kong’s efforts in exploring “re-industrialisation” in sectors where it enjoys advantages. 

 To expedite the structural adjustment of the manufacturing industry.  To pursue smart development of the manufacturing industry, focus on robotics and related key components, high-speed and high-precision processing equipment as well as intelligent equipment sets, vigorously develop intelligent manufacturing equipment and products, and nurture backbone enterprises for intelligent manufacturing which have strong capabilities in system integration, intelligent equipment development and the R&D and production of key components.  To support the strengthening and refinement of industries with competitive advantages such as equipment manufacturing, automobile, petrochemicals, home appliances and electronic information, and give an impetus to the manufacturing industry for branching out from processing and production to R&D, design, branding, marketing, and recycling, etc..  To accelerate the green transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry, emphasise the promotion of the green upgrading of traditional manufacturing industries as well as the development of green products, and create a green supply chain.  To vigorously develop the remanufacturing industry. 

Section 2 Nurturing and Strengthening Strategic Emerging Industries 

 To leverage the rich scientific research resources and solid foundations in new and hi-tech industries of core cities such as Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, fully leverage the roles of state-level new areas, national innovation demonstration zones and national high-tech industrial development zones as platforms where high-end production factors aggregate, jointly develop strategic emerging industry clusters which are well-supported by a comprehensive production chain, highly radiative for driving the development of other areas and globally competitive, and augment new impetus for economic development.  To pursue the development and growth of new pillar industries including new-generation information technology, biotechnology, high-end equipment manufacturing and new materials, and nurture major industry projects such as new display systems, new-generation communications technologies, 5G and mobile internet, biopharmaceuticals such as protein, high-end medical diagnostic equipment, genetic testing, modern Chinese medicine, intelligent robots, 3D printing and applications of BeiDou satellite navigation system.  To centre on key areas and their critical components such as information consumption, new healthcare technologies, marine engineering equipment, hi-tech service industry and high-performance integrated circuit, and launch major projects involving strategic emerging industries.  To nurture and develop industries such as new energy, energy conservation and environmental protection, and new energy vehicles, and form a belt of industry aggregation with R&D of energy conservation and environmental protection technologies as well as the development of headquarters and bases as its core.  To leverage the leading position of major enterprises, proactively pursue the development of a digital economy and a sharing economy, and promote economic transformation and upgrading as well as social development.  To promote regional cooperation in digital and creative industries such as animation, comics and games, internet culture, digital culture and devices, digital art and display, and promote the application of digital creativity in areas such as convention and exhibition, e-commerce, medical and healthcare, education services, tourism and leisure. 

Section 3 Expediting the Development of Modern Service Industries 

 To develop an international financial hub.  To leverage Hong Kong’s leading position in the financial services sector, consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre, and establish a platform for investment and financing serving the Belt and Road Initiative. To support Guangzhou in further improving its modern financial services regimes, develop a regional private equity trading market, establish a regional centre for equity and commodity trading, and augment the level of internationalisation.  To support Shenzhen in developing a capital market with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange as its core in accordance with relevant regulations, and expedite the process of financial liberalisation and innovation. To support Macao in developing a China-Lusophone countries platform for financial services, establish an export credit insurance system, develop as an RMB clearing centre for Lusophone countries, leverage Macao’s strengths as the headquarters of the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Cooperation and Development Fund, and take up financial cooperation services between China and Lusophone countries.  To study and explore the development of a Macao-Zhuhai cross-boundary financial cooperation demonstration zone. 

                  To vigorously develop special financial products and services.  

To support the development of Hong Kong into a green finance centre in the Greater Bay Area, and set up an internationally recognised green bond certification institution.  To support Guangzhou in developing a pilot zone for green finance reform and innovation, and study the establishment of an innovative futures exchange that takes carbon emission as its first trading commodity.  To support Macao in developing special financial products and services such as leasing, explore Macao’s development taking account of complementarity with nearby regions, and study the feasibility of establishing in Macao a securities market denominated and cleared in RMB, a green finance platform and a Sino-Lusophone countries financial services platform.  To support Shenzhen in developing a pilot zone for development in insurance innovation, further enhance the level of connectivity between Hong Kong and Shenzhen markets and promote cooperation between Macao and Shenzhen with respect to special financial products, launch TechFin pilot projects, and boost the development of FinTech carriers.  To support municipalities such as Zhuhai to leverage their own strengths, and develop financial products with distinct characteristics.  Subject to compliance with the statutory and supervisory requirements, to support insurance institutions in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to jointly develop innovative cross-boundary motor vehicle and medical insurance products, and provide facilitation services for cross-boundary policy holders in areas such as underwriting, investigation and claims. 

                      To progressively promote mutual financial markets access.  

To progressively expand the scale and scope of the cross-boundary use of RMB in the Greater Bay Area. Banking institutions in the Greater Bay Area may launch, in accordance with relevant regulations, cross-boundary RMB interbank lending, RMB foreign exchange spot and forward businesses, related RMB derivative products and cross distribution of wealth management products. Enterprises in the Greater Bay Area may issue cross-boundary RMB bonds in accordance with relevant regulations. To widen the scope for cross-boundary investment by Hong Kong and Mainland residents and institutions, and steadily expand the channels for Mainland and Hong Kong residents to invest in financial products in each other’s market.  Subject to compliance with laws and regulations, to progressively promote cross-boundary transactions of financial products such as funds and insurance within the Greater Bay Area, continue expanding the types of investment products and investment channels, and establish a mechanism for mutual access to capital and products.  To support Hong Kong’s institutional investors in raising RMB funds in accordance with the relevant regulations in the Greater Bay Area for investment in the capital markets of Hong Kong, and in participating in the investment of domestic private equity funds and venture capital funds.  To support Hong Kong in developing more offshore RMB, commodity and other risk management tools.  To support Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao insurance institutions in developing cross-boundary RMB reinsurance business.  To continue enhancing the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Bond Connect.  To support eligible Hong Kong and Macao banks and insurance institutions in setting up operations in Qianhai of Shenzhen, Nansha of Guangzhou, and Hengqin of Zhuhai.  To establish a Greater Bay Area coordination and communication mechanism for financial regulation, and strengthen cooperation in the monitoring of financial institutions as well as the monitoring and analysis of cross-boundary capital flows.  To enhance the mechanism for supervision, cooperation and information exchange relating to anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and anti-tax evasion in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.  To set up and improve a mechanism for the early warning, prevention and resolution of systemic risks, and jointly safeguard the security of the financial system. 

 To develop a system of modern service industries.  To focus on the key sectors and weaknesses in development of the service industries, promote specialisation and progression towards the high end of the value chain for producer services such as business services and distribution services, refine and improve the quality for consumer services such as healthcare services and family services, focus on maritime and logistics services, travel services, cultural and creative industries, human resources services, convention and exhibition and other professional services, etc., and develop a system of modern services which promotes coordinated development, complementarity and cooperation.  To promote the cooperative development of logistics services among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, vigorously pursue the development of third-party logistics and cold chain logistics, raise the level of supply chain management, and develop an international logistics hub.  To support the efforts of Macao in expediting the development of a food trading and distribution hub for Lusophone countries.  To deepen cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in industrial design, and facilitate the commercialisation of industrial design achievements.  To deepen cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in the cultural and creative industries, and progressively open up the market.  To fully leverage the strengths and expertise of Hong Kong talents in the film and television industries, promote cooperation among the film and television industries in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, strengthen film investment and cooperation and exchanges among talents, and support Hong Kong in its development into an exposition hub for television and film.  To consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international high-end convention, exhibition and sourcing centre, and support Macao in nurturing renowned convention and exhibition brand names with global influence.  To deepen the implementation of liberalisation measures for service sectors of Hong Kong and Macao under the respective Closer Economic Partnership Arrangements (CEPAs) with the Mainland, encourage Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to work together in establishing professional services institutions, and further the development of professional services such as accounting and auditing, legal and dispute resolution services, management consultancy, testing and certification, IP, construction and related engineering works.  To support Greater Bay Area enterprises in using services of Hong Kong such as testing and certification. 

Section 4 Vigorously Developing the Marine Economy 

 To adhere to land-sea coordination and scientific exploration, strengthen cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, widen the scope of the blue economy, and jointly develop a base for modern marine industries. To strengthen capabilities in marine observation, augment monitoring, forecasting as well as disaster prevention and mitigation, and raise the level of exploration and utilisation of marine resources.  To optimise the spatial layout for marine development, align with marine functional zonings and overall land use planning, coordinate in a scientific manner the utilisation of coastal belts (including island regions), coastal waters, and deep-sea areas.  To develop a modern marine industry system, optimise and upgrade industries with traditional comparative advantages such as marine fishery, sea transport and shipping, nurture and strengthen the development of emerging industries such as marine biomedicine, ocean engineering equipment manufacturing and integrated seawater utilisation, pursue the concentrated and intensive development of port industries such as the petrochemical and energy industries, expedite the development of maritime services such as port and logistics, coastal tourism and marine information services, strengthen the development of a platform for marine technology innovation, and foster marine technology innovation and effective commercial application of achievements.  To support Hong Kong in leveraging its strengths in innovation and research in foundation areas of the marine economy.  On the premise that flood discharge and tidal waves at the Pearl River Estuary are managed in a safe manner, to support Macao in scientifically devising and implementing a medium- and long-term marine development plan, and further develop industries such as marine tourism, marine technology and marine biology.  To support Shenzhen in developing into a key global marine city. To support taking forward the development of the marine economy through enhanced financial cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, explore the issuance of corporate bonds for marine development both domestically and externally, encourage industrial (equity) investment funds to invest in enterprises and projects related to integrated marine development, ride on Hong Kong’s strengths in high value-added maritime and financial services, and develop specialised financial services such as marine insurance, reinsurance and ship finance.