The launch of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a key step for China to achieve its goal of developing a modernized economy, says former National People's Congress deputy Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun.

The Greater Bay Area also serves as a test field for the nation's further opening-up on all fronts, Law told China Daily in an interview.

She said the country has high expectations of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions which will serve as springboards for advanced foreign businesses investing in the mainland, and for mainland enterprises going out.

In his report delivered at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last October, General Secretary Xi Jinping pledged to develop a modernized economy with multi-pronged measures, including making new ground in opening-up on all fronts.

The Greater Bay Area - a national-level development blueprint - groups the two SARs and nine cities in Guangdong province with a strong emphasis on cooperation and coordinated development.

With proper planning, the area will be a pioneer in the country's overall development toward an open, inclusive and strong economy, said Law.

Law has served as an NPC deputy for two consecutive terms since 2008. She also chairs the city's largest innovation center - the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park.

Having spent a decade closely observing and interacting with the mainland, she said she was impressed by the mainland's forward-looking approach and humbleness in crafting national development plans that would bring lasting mutual benefits to the country and the world.

Law cited the Belt and Road Initiative, calling it "profound and far-reaching" as it brings together more than 60 countries and regions for cooperation and progress.

It also shows the country's determination to stay on the path of peaceful development, and continue to pursue its "mutually beneficial strategy" of opening-up.

Law said she was struck by the mainland people's aspirations for improvement, adding that concerted efforts have been made - from the top leadership to ordinary people - to build a strong, prosperous and harmonious nation.

The CPC National Congress report also includes upholding the "one country, two systems" principle in the basic policy to uphold and carry out Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Xi pledged in the report that the Party must ensure both the central government's overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong and Macao, and a high degree of autonomy in the two regions.

By raising the status of "one country, two systems" and stressing the central government's overall jurisdiction over the two SARs, Law said, the central government wants to "clarify confusion and bring things back to order".

Both Hong Kong and Macao are part of China although they apply different social systems, Law explained. "'One country' comes first before 'two systems'. It's a fact that won't be changed under any circumstances."

willa@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 03/15/2018 page8)