China to develop Greater Bay Area into int'l innovation, technology hub

China aims to develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into an international innovation and technology hub, says the development plan issued on Monday.

According to the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, efforts will be made to build an open community for coordinated innovation in the region, develop quality innovation and technology carriers and platforms, and enhance the environment for innovation in the region.

In these regards, the plan calls for measures to strengthen cooperation in innovation and technology, enhance building of basic innovation capacity, enhance the in-depth integration of industries, academia and research, as well as deepen reform of innovation systems and mechanisms in the region, promote the commercial application of technological achievements, and step up the protection and exploitation of IP.

The plan requires measures to implement the innovation-driven development strategy in great intensity, deepen innovation cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and build an open community for coordinated innovation in the region that encompasses integrated development.

It also requires efforts to pool together international innovation resources, optimize 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.

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

China to expedite infrastructural connectivity for Greater Bay Area

China aims to expedite infrastructural connectivity to provide solid support for socio-economic development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, according to the newly-issued development plan.

Efforts will be made to build a modern comprehensive transport system, enhance and upgrade information infrastructure, develop an energy security protection system, and strengthen protection for the security of water resources in the Greater Bay Area.

The plan calls for efforts to strengthen infrastructural development, enhance external and internal connectivity, push 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.

In these regards, measures should be taken to enhance the international competitiveness of the Pearl-River-Delta port cluster, develop a world-class airport cluster, ensure the smooth flow of comprehensive external transport links, build a rapid transport network in the Greater Bay Area, and raise the standards of passenger and cargo transport services, the document says.

It also calls for measures to develop a new generation of information infrastructure, build smart city clusters, enhance the level of cyber security protection, enhance the energy supply structure, and strengthen the energy storage and transport system.

Moreover, efforts will be made to improve water infrastructure and improve flood prevention and mitigation systems, it says.

China on Monday issued the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

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