GRT:

According to the Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Nansha district will fully leverage its strength as the state-level new area and the pilot free trade zone (FTZ), enhance comprehensive cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao, and accelerate its development to carry the functions of international shipping and scientific and technological innovation for the GBA and become a gateway of high-standard opening-up. Since Nansha plan has made clear requirements in terms of the strategies of "going global", how will Nansha district cooperate with Hong Kong and Macao to further advance its institutional opening-up? Thank you.

Zhang Hu:

Thanks for your questions. The master plan takes global perspective as one of the important strategic positioning of Nansha district's development, requiring Nansha district to play a leading role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA's participation in international cooperation and competition, and work together with Hong Kong and Macao to build a gateway to high-standard opening-up. Going forward, we should have an accurate understanding of the opening-up orientation for Nansha district, focus on international and domestic markets and resources, giving full play to the role of the GBA as the pacesetter for institutional innovation, the gateway of opening-up, and the hub of comprehensive services. We should work with Hong Kong and Macao to build an institutional system and regulatory model that are consistent with the international rules to achieve high-quality "bringing in" and high-standard "going global" and continuously improve global resource allocation capabilities, making positive contributions to accelerating the construction of a new pattern of development. The priority of our work will be given to the following four aspects:

First, we will improve comprehensive services for the strategies of "going global." We will align with the development needs of countries and regions along the Belt and Road routes and fully leverage both the strengths of Hong Kong and Macao, such as intensive international connections and developed professional services. This will also include the strengths of the GBA, such as vast mainland market, complete industrial system, and strong scientific and technological strength to fully support the development of modern service industry clusters in Nansha district. We will jointly advance the international economic and trade cooperation, develop an integrated online and offline system of one-stop comprehensive services for international investment and financing, and build a comprehensive service base for Chinese companies to "go global."

Second, we will further develop it into an international shipping and logistics hub. We will work with Hong Kong and Macao to enhance the role of the GBA as the international shipping hub, deepen cooperation in key areas such as shipping logistics, shipping finance, maritime services, and cruises and yachts. We will also promote the cross-border and cross-region integration of maritime service resources, and accelerate the construction of major projects such as Phase IV of the Guangzhou Nansha Automated Deepwater Port. We will support Guangzhou Shipping Exchange to expand shipping exchange and other services and work with Hong Kong and Macao to build a Joint Shipping Exchange Center in the GBA. We will accelerate the development of maritime services such as ship management, inspection and testing, and maritime dispute resolution and create an international maritime service industry cluster district.

Third, we will strengthen its role as an engine for international economic cooperation. We will support Nansha district in pursuing the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement and actively align with the rules in high-standard international free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). We will conduct more stress tests to accumulate experiences in advance. We will actively foster stronger synergy and cooperation with developed economies in the fields of the digital economy, technology finance, and green development. We will support enterprises to participate in the making of international rules and standards, contributing to China's participation in the reform of the global economic governance system.

Fourth, we will further build it into a new platform for international exchanges. We will jointly advance practical exchanges and cooperation with the Belt and Road Initiative countries and regions, global major FTZs, international ports, business associations, and international organizations. We will hold international-themed events such as the annual meeting of the International Financial Forum (IFF) and the Greater-bay Science Forum and create an international economic cooperation platform for the GBA to synergize with the Belt and Road Initiative. We will encourage and guide major business associations of Hong Kong and Macao to set up representative offices in Nansha district and actively introduce Hong Kong and Macao professionals and talents with global vision to participate in the construction and management of Nansha district to accelerate the modernization and internationalization of Nansha district's development.

Thank you.