The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a term that prophesies the future of millions of people living in an 11-city cluster in South China. But, it wasn't always that way, at least, not before the nation's reform and opening-up policy started 40 years ago.

The Bay Area, comprising nine cities on the Chinese mainland and the nation's two special administrative regions, is considered one of China's most economically and socially dynamic regions. As one of the most populous areas in the country with a combined population of about 68 million, the region's cities have experienced immense progress in living standards, transportation, energy resources, and more thanks to the economic reform that began in 1978.

Among the most notable achievements contributing to the Bay Area's economic growth and people-to-people exchanges were the establishment of a national high-speed railway and a regional intercity railway.

And, with the mega Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge having gone into operation on Wednesday, the travel time among the three cities has been vastly shortened, increasing opportunities for further growth. For example, the driving time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai has been slashed to just 30 minutes from about four hours.

The bridge is expected to lift regional development to a new level, setting the stage for the area to become a center of high-tech, finance and trade.

miriam@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 10/29/2018 page8)