Huang Kunming, John KC Lee, Ho Iat Seng, Wang Wentao and Wang Weizhong Delivered Speeches or Made Thematic Presentations, and Huang Chuping and Wang Rong Attended the Event.

The 2022 Global Investment Promotion Conference for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area took place on December 21 in Guangzhou. The Conference was jointly organized by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Under the theme of "Investing in the GBA for a Brighter Future", the Conference demonstrated the achievements of the GBA in an all-round manner and conveyed the confidence and commitment in promoting high-level opening-up, inviting businesses in China and beyond to invest in and share the development opportunities presented by the GBA. Mr. Huang Kunming, Secretary of CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee; Mr. John KC Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR; Mr. Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR; Mr. Wang Wentao, Chinese Minister of Commerce; and Mr. Wang Weizhong, Governor of Guangdong Province delivered speeches or made thematic presentations at the Conference. Mr. Huang Chuping, Director of the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress and Mr. Wang Rong, Chairman of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the CPPCC, also attended the Conference.

In his speech, Mr. Huang Kunming, on behalf of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Guangdong Province, extended a warm welcome to guests from China and abroad and expressed heartfelt thanks to public figures from all sectors of society for their concern and support for the construction of the GBA and the reform and development of Guangdong. He stated, the construction of the GBA is a national strategy personally planned, arranged and promoted by General Secretary Xi Jinping. Since the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area came into effect, various sectors in this region have been in full swing. With rapid growth, it has achieved important periodic results, showcasing an even brighter future. The GBA has become a fertile land for investment and entrepreneurship both at home and abroad. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed at the 20th CPC National Congress that concluded recently that we shall propel the development of the GBA and support Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating themselves into China's overall development, setting a right direction for the GBA's further development. Guangdong will fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and advance the development of the GBA at a higher standard in the new stage according to the decisions and arrangements made by the General Secretary and the CPC Central Committee. Guangdong will continue to develop excellent plans, implement projects, consider future-oriented development, and always be people-oriented, as it joins hands with Hong Kong and Macao to expedite the development of an international first-class bay area and a world-class city cluster. We sincerely welcome investors from around the world to invest and operate in the GBA, and talents with dreams to innovate, start businesses, display their talents, and realize their value here. We believe the seeds you sow in the GBA will surely grow into towering trees. We promise to spare no efforts to serve you and create a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, as we strive to create more opportunities and build a wider stage for you to chase dreams and pursue growth and development.

According to Mr. John KC Lee, the Conference not only reflects the close ties between the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, but also serves as an important platform for global businesses to share opportunities. Under the One Country, Two Systems policy, Hong Kong's close connection with international markets and strong support from the motherland are its distinctive advantages. Capitalizing on the historic opportunities brought by the country's development, Hong Kong will proactively play the role of a two-way platform facilitating "bringing in and going global" to promote regional economic development, serving the country's needs with its strengths. The HKSAR Government has set up a Steering Group on Integration into National Development and a pan-GBA foreign investment liaison group. The government will further facilitate the flow of people, logistics, capital and information in the GBA, strengthen the mechanisms for regional cooperation with provinces and municipalities in the Chinese mainland, and enhance high-level cooperation among GBA cities, as it presents the GBA to global investors and allows more foreign investors to know more about the vigorous development of and opportunities in China. Hopefully, global businesses can fully leverage Hong Kong's role as a bridge to seize the unlimited business opportunities in the GBA.

In his presentation, Mr. Ho Iat Seng mentioned that hosting such a high-level global investment promotion event, which will comprehensively showcase the GBA's development opportunities and investment potential to the world, is an important move to pool global high-quality resources and create a world-class bay area. Macao has been fully leveraging opportunities presented during the GBA's construction and its advantages in the One Country, Two Systems policy and its status as a free port and a separate customs territory. Positioned as "One Center, One Platform and One Base", Macao actively aligns its development with the national 14th Five-Year Plan and strives to facilitate the adequate economic diversification of Macao. Macao is working closely with Guangdong to build the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin into a quality one, as it seizes the opportunities from economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to jointly expand the markets in Portuguese-speaking countries with sister cities. Committed to the development strategy of "1+4" adequate diversification, Macao will continuously create investment and development opportunities. We sincerely invite outstanding businesses and projects from all sides to develop and operate in Macao, join in the construction of the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and share the dividends of the GBA's development.

Mr. Wang Wentao joined the Conference virtually. According to him, the Conference is an innovative measure of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to deeply implement the arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and serve the country's major strategies. As an important platform for global investors to share the investment opportunities and the dividends of the GBA's development, the Conference will certainly contribute positively to the high-level opening-up and high-quality development of the GBA. The Communist Party of China unveiled its blueprint for building a modern socialist China in all respects during its 20th National Congress, placing emphasis on improving the quality and standards of trade and investment cooperation and creating a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized first-class business environment. China, through wider opening up, will continue to offer the world new opportunities that come with its constant development. Chinese Ministry of Commerce will work with relevant departments in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and act on the guidelines of the Central Economic Work Conference, and unswervingly deepen high-level opening-up, propel the high-quality development of the GBA, and support the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, forging a favorable environment for global businesses to invest in the GBA.

According to Mr. Wang Weizhong, with the care and support of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao are joining hands to turn the GBA into one of the most open and economically vibrant regions in China. The Conference has shown the world the GBA's charm, vibrancy, passion and innovation capabilities. We sincerely invite global business owners to come visit and tap new business opportunities in the GBA. Now is the right time to start businesses and invest in Guangdong. The province boasts a world-class business environment featuring well-developed economic and trade networks and a sound market system; a world-class innovation environment boasting strong innovation capabilities and complete supporting facilities; a world-class living environment with high-quality education and healthcare resources and a beautiful ecological environment. Guangdong will fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, with a focus on boosting confidence in the market and stimulating the entrepreneurial vitality of the whole society. It will facilitate high-level opening-up, writing a magnificent chapter in the construction of the GBA along with global investors and innovative entrepreneurs.

The Conference attracted more than 300 multinational companies. The list with the names of 16 global investment consultants and 18 regional headquarters of multinational companies in Guangdong was announced, and 48 major projects were selected to be signed on the spot. Preliminary statistics showed 853 cooperation projects with a total investment of RMB 2.5 trillion have been concluded during the Conference.

Leaders of Guangdong Province including Lin Keqing, Zhang Hu, Wang Xi, Wang Ruijun, Zhang Xin, Sun Zhiyang, Wang Zhizhong, and Guo Yonghang, the Mayor of Guangzhou also attended the event.