Plan opens up a new world to HK

The long-awaited master plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development did bring excitement to Hong Kong society. The excitement is justifiable, given that Hong Kong stands to benefit tremendously from the city cluster development strategy - specifically in terms of better prospects for economic development and improved livelihoods.

Concerns about Hong Kong's "gradual marginalization" and "eventual decline" as international financial, transportation and trade centers have increased in the city in recent years as the Chinese mainland increasingly stepped up its reform and opening-up efforts, which many fear will reduce Hong Kong's intermediary role. Some pundits have even suggested that a rising Shanghai would eventually take Hong Kong's place. Such a scenario, albeit unlikely in the near future, has clouded Hong Kong's long-term economic prospects.

Now with the release of the outline development plan for the Bay Area, there is no reason why such worries should not die down for good. According to the city cluster development strategy, Hong Kong's status as international financial, transportation and trade centers, as well as its roles as an international aviation hub, a global off-shore Renminbi business hub, an international asset management center and a risk management center, will be consolidated and further strengthened.

Conceivably, Hong Kong will enjoy more supportive policies from the central government in the course of enhancing its unique role in national development. This is because the announced strategy for the Bay Area development emphasizes a division of labor, complementary functions and coordinated development among the 11 partner cities. That means the central government, in its capacity as the conductor, will do its best to make sure no overlapping functions, overlapping development and unhealthy competition will ever emerge among the partner cities.

The city cluster development is expected to benefit individual Hong Kong people in equal measure - in terms of livelihood improvement as well as education and career opportunities. The development strategy calls for policies and measures to make partner cities on the mainland side more suitable and easier for Hong Kong residents to study, to live or to pursue careers there. Hong Kong and Macao residents who are Chinese nationals could even have the chance to apply for public service positions on the Chinese mainland.

These policies will literally open up a new world to those who are struggling with poor living conditions or fighting for social upward mobility in Hong Kong, where factors such as skill mismatches, land scarcity and a narrow economic base has limited their chances of achieving their dreams and goals in life.