BPA to emphasize HK’s unique role in Bay Area
Representatives from Hong Kong’s largest pro-business political party in the Legislative Council on Monday said they would seek to consolidate Hong Kong’s advantages and boost connectivity in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area during the upcoming two sessions.
The Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong mainly focused on Hong Kong’s international ties and professional services.
The party’s deputies to the nation’s top legislature — the National People’s Congress — and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the top national political advisory body, will raise 24 proposals or suggestions, during upcoming meetings in Beijing.
The CPPCC National Committee meeting will open on March 3, and the NPC session will open on March 5.
Witman Hung Wai-man, an NPC deputy, proposed a “Bay Area card” for business, science and education professionals in the region.
Hung said the card would enable eligible people — regardless of nationalities — to cross the boundary via e-channels with multiple visas. This would allow them to stay in a Bay Area city without a paid job, he explained.
Hung is the principal liaison officer for Hong Kong at the Qianhai Authority in Shenzhen. He suggested Qianhai could be an experimental area for Hong Kong lawyers to represent clients from the special administrative region in commercial disputes — such as those involving intellectual property issues.
BPA Chairman Lo Wai-kwok discussed developing the Bay Area into an international hub for shipping and aviation. Lo, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, called for more advanced transport connections and more convenient boundary-crossing policies between Hong Kong and mainland cites.
These include looking at a possible branch line on the Hong KongZhuhai-Macao Bridge to connect Shenzhen.
Peter Lam Kin-ngok discussed ways to better utilize the HZMB. Lam, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, suggested government departments improve and provide more support facilities. This is to promote “multi-destination” tourism across the Bay Area — including facilities for sightseeing, tour guides, catering and retailing.
Lam, who is also chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, called for better use of Hong Kong’s international ties to explore overseas markets for tourism in the Bay Area, and attract more overnight travelers from Southeast Asia, the United States and Europe. These travelers can then visit mainland cities through HZMB.
Christopher Cheung Wah-fung, member of the CPPCC National Committee, called for a “Bay Area financial innovation zone”, and a “Bay Area international commercial bank”. These aim to coordinate financial affairs in the region and encourage more cross-boundary innovative financial products.
Other suggestions and proposals covered Hong Kong’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative and the country’s current trade disputes with the US. Culture and educational development in the Bay Area was also examined.
To improve Hong Kong people’s livelihoods in the Bay Area, Thomas Cheung Tsun-yung, a deputy to the NPC, proposed a reclamation plan of 120 square meters near Hong Kong but in mainland territories. This area of land will be managed by Hong Kong to prepare more residential land for the younger generation.
Acknowledging difficulties in implementing the plan, Cheung said he felt a responsibility to speak out about Hong Kong’s future and find ways to help young people in the city.