Huang Kunming, John KC Lee, Ho Iat Seng, Wang Wentao, and Wang Weizhong Delivered Remarks or Thematic Presentations, and Huang Chuping Attended the Conference

On the afternoon of November 8, the 2023 Global Investment Promotion Conference for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) took place in Guangzhou. Jointly organized by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, the Conference aims to comprehensively showcase the GBA's economic vitality, robust innovation, and investment potential, convey strong confidence and commitment to promoting high-level opening-up, and invite businesses inside and outside of China to invest in and capitalize on the opportunities in the GBA. Mr. Huang Kunming, Secretary of CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, delivered remarks. Mr. John KC Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR, Mr. Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of Macao SAR, and Mr. Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce, addressed the event via video link. Mr. Wang Weizhong, Governor of Guangdong Province, attended the event and gave thematic presentations. Mr. Huang Chuping, Director of the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress, was also present.

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 home and abroad and heartfelt gratitude to friends from all sectors of society for their attention and support for the development of the GBA. This April, General Secretary Xi Jinping, during his inspection tour of Guangdong, gave his instructions concerning the new positioning of the GBA as a strategic fulcrum of the new development pattern, a demonstration zone of high-quality development, and a pioneer in Chinese modernization, and warmly invited friends from all over the world to China, to Guangdong, and to the GBA. China is now engaged in new practices of Chinese modernization, and Guangdong is exploring new pathways for high-quality development, while the GBA is mapping out a new blueprint to develop into a world-class bay area, Mr. Huang said. He expressed strong confidence in the future of the GBA, saying that investors in the GBA will reap both short-term and long-term benefits. The GBA has great development momentum, a robust foundation for growth, and growing impetuses for advancement. Mr. Huang welcomed friends from all walks of life to share local market dividends, step up their investments, and seek greater growth by getting involved in the high-quality development of the GBA. The region also offers numerous opportunities and broad prospects. Empowered by technological innovation and industrial upgrades, it is fostering new quality productive forces. As the vast market potential unleashes new opportunities, investors in the GBA can share the growth dividends, enhance global operations, and expand their network and influence. The GBA is proud of its exceptional endowments and world-class business environment. Many preferential policies have been introduced to benefit both businesses and individuals. Moreover, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao are working together to create a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized. Chinese and foreign cultures thrive there, along with urban and rural elements. Guangdong will roll out more favorable policies and convenient services for investors to seek growth in the GBA.

In his presentation, Mr. John KC Lee emphasized that the Conference is an important platform for global businesses to learn about the latest developments in the GBA. In addition, it signifies the close collaboration among the governments of the three places in driving high-quality development of the GBA and contributing to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Under the "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world. With a business-friendly, a sound financial ecosystem, a good tradition of the rule of law, and a robust transport network, Hong Kong is an international financial, shipping, and trading hub, a bridge connecting international businesses with the GBA market, and a crucial gateway for companies in the GBA expanding overseas. He welcomed entrepreneurs from around the world to establish or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, fully leveraging Hong Kong's role as a super-connector bridging the Mainland and the world and making good use of the high value-added professional services provided by Hong Kong as a super value-adder. This will allow them to embrace the limitless business opportunities created by the GBA and achieve mutual success.

Mr. Ho Iat Seng said that focusing on its development positioning of "One Center, One Platform, and One Base", Macao has long engaged in the development of the GBA and fully utilized its overall strengths as a free port and a separate customs territory under "One Country, Two Systems". Macao has seized the opportunities from the development of the GBA as well as the economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, supported sister cities in conducting in-depth exchanges with Portuguese-speaking countries, and further strengthened its role as a platform connecting China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Meanwhile, Macao is implementing the "1+4" appropriately diversified development strategy, especially in tourism and leisure sectors. Significant efforts have been made to drive the development of the four key industries of health, modern finance and high-tech, as well as MICE industry, commerce, trade, culture and sports. Macao, one of the four key cities in the GBA, will continuously improve its investment and business environment, optimize its industrial structure, and demonstrate greater achievements and responsibilities. He also sincerely welcomed outstanding enterprises and projects from all sectors to choose Macao and settle here, get involved in the development of Hengqin, and share the development benefits of the GBA.

In his speech, Mr. Wang Wentao, on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce, expressed congratulation on the opening of the Conference. He said that the Conference provides an important platform to promote the open and innovative measures of the GBA and show the investment opportunities in the region. Since the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Commerce has been organizing "Invest in China Year" events to showcase China's development prospects and business environment on all fronts, yielding positive results. China is advancing Chinese modernization through comprehensive high-quality development, providing vast opportunities for global investors to thrive in the country. Going ahead, China will remain steadfast in its fundamental policy of opening-up, redouble efforts to attract and utilize foreign investment, and continue to polish the "golden signboard" of "investing in China". He sincerely welcomed enterprises from all countries to seize the opportunities, deepen their presence in the Chinese market, and share the dividends of China's development. The Ministry of Commerce will continue to support the open development of the GBA, helping to build it into a strategic fulcrum of the new development pattern, a demonstration zone of high-quality development, and a pioneer in Chinese modernization.

General Secretary Xi Jinping set forth the new positioning of the GBA during his inspection tour of Guangdong this April. Mr. Wang Weizhong said that this presents not only significant historical opportunities for the development of the GBA but also new growth opportunities for domestic and international enterprises. Guangdong has unlimited market potential and huge demand as a pivotal connector between domestic and international circulation, releasing powerful momentum of high-quality development. Driven by a strong industrial foundation and fast technological progress, Guangdong is growing the real economy and manufacturing industry as its priorities and accelerating efforts to develop into a globally influential hub of industrial and technological innovation. It has a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, featuring a wide range of favorable policies. With natural endowments and profound cultural heritage, Guangdong is vigorously boosting ecological progress to enhance its livable and business-friendly environment for global investors. He sincerely welcomed global investors, entrepreneurs, and talents to seek innovation and establish businesses in Guangdong and the GBA.

At the Conference, Mr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, Mr. Karim Amin, Member of the Executive Board of the Siemens Energy Supervisory Board, and Mr. Jacob Aarup-Andersen, CEO of Carlsberg Group, delivered remarks as representatives of the business community.

The Conference received positive responses and strong support from enterprises across the globe, with the on-site signing of 26 major projects. Preliminary statistics showed that 859 cooperation projects with a total investment of over RMB 2.24 trillion were concluded during the Conference.

The event was also attended by other government leaders of Guangdong, including Zhang Hu, Guo Yonghang, Zhang Shaokang, Zhang Xin, Lin Tao, Chen Liangxian, and Deng Haiguang.