Policy Address
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
64. Since the promulgation of the Outline Development Plan by the Central Government in February 2019, various Central ministries have issued a number of policy documents to support the development of financial, legal and professional services in the GBA, as well as rolled out measures to facilitate Hong Kong and Macao residents to work, live and study in the Mainland cities of the GBA. During my meeting with leaders of the Guangdong Province and Shenzhen municipality earlier this month, we agreed to press ahead with the work in areas such as cross-boundary infrastructure development and clearance facilitation, joint development of an international I&T hub, co-operation in modern service industries, education, nurturing of talents and youth exchanges, as well as joint development of a quality living circle. Specific co-operation projects include:
- supporting Hong Kong’s insurance industry in establishing after-sales service centres in the Mainland cities of the GBA under the framework of the CEPA to provide Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland residents, who are holders of Hong Kong policies, with comprehensive support in different areas including enquiries, claims and renewal of policies;
- implementing as soon as possible the arrangement of using Hong Kong-registered drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals at The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital on a trial basis subject to the approval of the Guangdong Province, and extending the policy to cover more designated healthcare institutions, drugs and medical devices in a timely manner;
- allowing traditional proprietary Chinese medicine products for external use registered in Hong Kong to be registered and sold in the GBA through a streamlined approval process;
- pressing ahead with the “Quota-free scheme for Hong Kong private cars travelling to Guangdong via the HZMB” after the commissioning of the Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Tunnel, allowing eligible Hong Kong private cars to travel between Hong Kong and Guangdong via the HZMB without quota. The scheme will facilitate Hong Kong residents to drive to the Guangdong Province for business, visiting families or sight-seeing on a short-term basis. The HKSAR and Guangdong Governments will draw on the implementation experience of the scheme at the HZMB and proactively study the extension of the scheme to a Hong Kong/Shenzhen land boundary control point, such that Hong Kong private cars can travel to both the eastern and western parts of Guangdong;
