A non-binding motion, moved by commerce sector legislator and Executive Councilor Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, was debated and passed in the Legislative Council on Thursday morning, urging the special administrative region government to seek ways to strengthen regional collaboration in building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Lam came up with six specific policy proposals in his motion, of which four focus on making partner cities more attractive to Hong Kong people as alternative places to study, work, do business and even retire.

It makes sense that the motion emphasizes and prioritizes the need for measures to make life more convenient and easier for Hong Kong people in other Bay Area cities. After all, that is crucial to successfully facilitate the flow of personnel, goods and capital between the two sides, which are in turn crucial to the success of the Bay Area project.

It is uncontroversial that the mainland offers countless career and business opportunities, thanks to its huge market, enviable economic growth and diversified economy. This is shown by most if not all Fortune 500 companies venturing into the mainland market with huge investments. A recent Hong Kong survey also found a great majority of respondents were optimistic about the outlook for mainland economic development. Yet another recent survey found many local people expressed reluctance to work or live in other cities of the Bay Area. Why the disparity? Understandably, a key hindrance is that they do not feel at home in those cities because of the different kinds of restriction on non-native residents that cause inconvenience and discomfort. For one, many Hong Kong people feel disadvantaged by home-buying restrictions imposed on them.

Restrictions on investment, business operation and employment should also be relaxed as much as possible, lest the SAR government's announced policy directions and subsequent endeavors for the Bay Area project become futile. These include facilitating Hong Kong's advantageous industries expanding into other partner cities, helping partner cities develop new industries and promoting interconnection between the two sides.

There is also a strong case for the Hong Kong SAR Government, Macao SAR Government and relevant mainland provincial and municipal governments strengthening communication and cooperation on fostering diversified economic development in the region, as suggested by Lam in his motion.

The key to success in the Bay Area project lies in whether member cities can closely collaborate on all aspects of social and economic development and make full use of the economic complementarity among them. Hopefully, the master plan of this mega project, to be released by central government authorities soon, will provide the necessary guidelines and direction.

(HK Edition 06/01/2018 page12)