The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is charting a course for the future, with promising prospects for smart transportation!

The Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and the Guangdong Provincial Government recently issued the “Communist Party of China Guangdong Provincial Committee” The “Implementation Opinions of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province on Carrying Out the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area” (hereinafter referred to as the “Implementation Opinions”), meanwhile, the Leading Group of Guangdong Province for Promoting the Construction of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area has issued the “Three-Year Action Plan of Guangdong Province for Promoting the Construction of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (“ (2018–2020), commonly referred to as the “Three-Year Action Plan,” has established a detailed blueprint and a comprehensive task list for Guangdong Province’s efforts to advance the development of the Greater Bay Area.

The “Implementation Opinions” comprise three sections: significant implications and overall requirements, key tasks, and supporting measures. They are primarily oriented toward long-term development, benchmarking against the Greater Bay Area’s goals to… The 2035 development goals outline the key priorities and major initiatives that Guangdong Province will prioritize over the next decade, emphasizing strategic vision and coordinated implementation.

The development of the Greater Bay Area will proceed in accordance with “Three-step approach” is adopted for the arrangement:

Step one to In 2020, the development of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area laid a solid foundation, establishing a coordinated and efficient working mechanism for its construction and achieving significant breakthroughs in areas such as the seamless alignment of rules and the convenient, orderly flow of resources and factors.

Step two to In 2022, the Greater Bay Area had essentially established a framework for an international first-class bay area and a world-class urban agglomeration—characterized by robust vitality, outstanding innovation capacity, an optimized industrial structure, smooth factor flows, and a beautiful ecological environment.

Step three to By 2035, the Greater Bay Area will be fully developed into a world-class bay area that is livable, conducive to business, and attractive for tourism.

Key tasks encompass nine areas. ：

First, we will optimize and upgrade the spatial development pattern, leverage the driving role of key growth poles, strengthen the supporting functions of axial corridors, refine the urban functional layout, and accelerate the establishment of an urban system characterized by orderly division of labor, complementary functions, and efficient coordination.

Second, we will strengthen the Greater Bay Area’s role as a regional hub and driver of development, and promote the establishment of… The new regional development pattern of “One Core, One Belt, One Zone” is driving innovative and green development along the Pearl River–Xijiang Economic Belt.

Third, we will build an international center for scientific and technological innovation, work with Hong Kong and Macao to strengthen the development of foundational innovation capabilities, intensify efforts to master critical core technologies, and establish high‑level platforms and facilities for scientific and technological innovation.

Fourth, we will build a modern infrastructure system, focusing on transportation, information technology, energy, and water conservancy, to create an infrastructure network that ensures seamless connectivity both domestically and internationally and achieves efficient integration.

Fifth, we will collaboratively build a modern industrial system with international competitiveness, fostering complementary strengths, close cooperation, and coordinated development among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.

Sixth, we will advance ecological progress, work with Hong Kong and Macao to strengthen joint prevention and control of pollution, and promote the adoption of green development models and lifestyles.

Seventh, we will build high-quality living, working, and tourism hubs, refine supporting policies to facilitate the development of Hong Kong and Macao residents in the mainland of the Greater Bay Area, and establish a public service system aligned with international standards.

Eighth, accelerate the development of a new pattern of comprehensive opening-up, enhance the level of market integration within the Greater Bay Area, and build… An important support zone for the Belt and Road Initiative.

Ninth, we will jointly build a platform for Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao cooperation and development, fully leveraging the platform’s role as a testing ground and model to lead and drive comprehensive cooperation among the three regions.

It must be said that the “Implementation Opinions” specifically highlight, among its key tasks, the need to build a green, sustainable economy and environment. In this regard, it also continuously fosters the development of the green new‑energy vehicle industry and smart transportation. Compared with other sectors, China’s smart‑transport transformation began early and has progressed rapidly, giving rise to new business models such as ride-hailing, bike-sharing, car‑sharing, autonomous driving, and smart parking. Meanwhile, applications like facial recognition and license‑plate recognition have become widespread and well‑established. Under the leadership of the Greater Bay Area, this economic bridgehead stands out in particular.

The Three-Year Action Plan comprises nine areas. The 100 key measures are primarily designed with a medium-term outlook, assigning responsibilities and deploying priority tasks that are well‑defined for the near to medium term and can be accelerated, while further quantifying interim targets.

First, in terms of optimizing and upgrading the spatial development pattern… Three key provisions primarily stipulate that the four major central cities—Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen—will serve as the core engines driving regional development and guiding the construction of the Greater Bay Area, while leveraging the synergistic effects of strong partnerships such as Hong Kong–Shenzhen, Guangzhou–Foshan, and Macao–Zhuhai.

Second, in terms of building an international center for scientific and technological innovation… Article 14 primarily includes measures to accelerate the establishment of a comprehensive national science center; to seek national support for the placement of national laboratories in the Greater Bay Area; to advance the development of the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Macao Science and Technology Innovation Corridor; and to progressively open up access to scientific research facilities and instruments to Hong Kong and Macao.

Third, in terms of building a modern infrastructure system, Article 14 primarily includes coordinating with the state to formulate and implement the Special Plan for Infrastructure Connectivity in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and the intercity (railway) development plan, as well as conducting research and planning for the Guangzhou–Zhuhai–Zhongshan–Macao High-Speed Rail project.

Fourth, in terms of collaboratively building a modern industrial system with international competitiveness. Ten measures, primarily including coordinating with the state to formulate and implement a special plan for building a modern industrial system in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, and working together with Hong Kong and Macao to develop an international financial hub.

Fifth, in advancing ecological civilization. Eight measures, primarily including coordinating with the national authorities to formulate and implement a special plan for ecological and environmental protection in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as achieving, by 2020, the near‑elimination of black and odorous water bodies in the built-up areas of mainland cities at or above the prefecture level within the Greater Bay Area.

Sixth, in building high-quality living circles that are livable, workable, and attractive for tourism. Article 22 primarily includes advancing collaborative education initiatives between Hong Kong and Macao universities, such as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and their counterparts on the mainland within the Greater Bay Area; coordinating with the state to formulate policies and measures for subsidizing the personal income tax burden differential for overseas talent (including those from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan); and drafting and implementing a plan to strengthen the development of innovation and entrepreneurship bases for young people from Hong Kong and Macao.

Seventh, in accelerating the establishment of a new pattern of comprehensive opening-up. Article 12 primarily includes advancing the rule of law in the business environment and promoting the expansion of mutual recognition of professional qualifications and credentials.

Eighth, in terms of jointly building a platform for Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao cooperation and development. Article 12 primarily includes measures to support the development of major cooperation platforms such as Shenzhen’s Qianhai, Guangzhou’s Nansha, and Zhuhai’s Hengqin, as well as initiatives to advance the construction of the Shenzhen–Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Cooperation Zone.

Ninth, in terms of safeguard measures Article 5 primarily establishes a coordinated mechanism for the allocation of land, forest, and marine-use quotas and indicators, and provides priority assurance for the land needs of major platforms and key projects incorporated into the Greater Bay Area’s strategic plan.