New jewel in the crown for SARs

Hong Kong and Macao are at the forefront in reaping the benefits from Nansha's ambitious economic plan as the two cities step up their integration into the nation's development. Su Zihan reports from Hong Kong.

Guangzhou's Nansha district, as one of the Chinese mainland's new fast-track economic development zones, holds promise for Hong Kong and Macao, with a grand plan to further unleash the district's potential and give it a bigger role in the nation's opening-up.

Experts and academics are convinced that international investment and cooperation in Nansha will bring tremendous opportunities to industries and people from Hong Kong and Macao, enabling the two special administrative regions to better integrate into the country's overall development.

The State Council issued an overall development road map on June 14 for Nansha - located at the southernmost end of the Guangdong provincial capital - to deepen comprehensive collaboration between Guangdong and Hong Kong and Macao. The blueprint aims to turn Nansha into a strong support base for the two SARs to have a bigger stake in national development.

Under the plan, the construction of a scientific and technological innovation industry cooperation base, as well as a youth entrepreneurship and employment cooperation platform, will be stepped up to foster joint technological innovation by talents from the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, and create more development opportunities for young people.

Nansha, which is already part of the Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone, will strive to become a gateway for high-level opening-up to help mainland enterprises "go global" and promote international economic cooperation. To generate a world-class business environment and boost cross-border financial connectivity, the area will develop a sound rule convergence mechanism. It will also serve as a high-quality landmark in urban planning and construction, as well as in smart city, education, healthcare and environmental protection.

Nansha's multiple advantages in its location, industrial foundation and shipping, plus its complementary strengths with Hong Kong and Macao, have placed it in an ideal position to drive the country's opening-up and international cooperation, according to experts.