Six years after the introduction of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the region has emerged as one of China’s most open and economically dynamic areas. Covering 56,000 square kilometers, the GBA, which includes nine cities of the southern Guangdong Province along with the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, generated an impressive economic output exceeding 14 trillion yuan (approximately $1.95 trillion USD) in 2023. This accounts for roughly one-ninth of China's national total.
The GBA stands out not only for its substantial economic contributions but also for its high quality of economic development. It has established itself as a vibrant world-class city cluster and a hub of international innovation and technology.
Interconnected Transportation Network
The region’s success is bolstered by its advanced transportation infrastructure. \"Compared to a grueling five-hour drive in the past, my daily commute now takes me just over two hours through the intercity transit network,\" shared a passenger named Xie in a recent interview with Xinhua. Xie, who works in Guangzhou and resides approximately 70 kilometers away in Foshan, highlighted the efficiency of the new system. \"The transit is quick and comfortable. It feels like I'm commuting within a single city,\" Xie added.
Since May, two new intercity rail lines have been integrated into the existing network, enhancing connectivity across the GBA. The unified infrastructure, along with streamlined ticketing, security, and information systems, allows passengers to travel seamlessly across Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhaoqing, and Huizhou with a single ticket.
Reference(s):
Six years on: Key numbers behind China's Greater Bay Area success
cgtn.com
