Author: Wu Chunyan, Li Xiang, Cui Jialong 

Publisher: Guangming Daily  

Date: December 3, 2024

On November 30, 2024, the 2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Think Tank Academic Exchange Event took place in Guangzhou. This event, organized by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Think Tank Federation and Jinan University, was guided by the Research Department of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong and the Research Office of the Central Government in Macau.

(At the Academic Exchange Symposium)

The theme for this year’s event was “Adhering to and Improving ‘One Country, Two Systems’, and Shaping a New Momentum for the Development of the Greater Bay Area.” The goal was to implement strategies from the Outline of the Development Plan of the Greater Bay Area by fostering cooperation among think tanks from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. Participants aimed to provide intellectual support for the region's development and create a platform for dialogue between academic and practical spheres.

Sun Yu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Jinan University and Dean of the Institute of One Country, Two Systems and Basic Law, emphasized the university's commitment to being a leading educational resource for students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. He highlighted the establishment of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Think Tank Federation as a vital initiative for conducting interdisciplinary research and promoting collaboration between mainland and regional think tanks.

Lei Haiqiu, Minister of the Research Department of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong, addressed the shared responsibilities of think tanks in fostering development within the Greater Bay Area. He encouraged collaboration between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao think tanks to enhance the area’s international influence and cohesively integrate these regions into the national development framework.

Huang Zhihu, Deputy Director of the Research Office of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Macau, reflected on the achievements made in Macao over the past 25 years since its return to China. He called for ongoing support and attention to Macao’s development, emphasizing the importance of the One Country, Two Systems framework for its ongoing prosperity and stability.

The event featured three thematic discussion sessions, where experts and representatives from various think tanks exchanged ideas on the practice of One Country, Two Systems, new development drivers in the Greater Bay Area, and the evolving roles of think tanks in this context. Attendees reached a consensus on several issues and offered constructive recommendations for advancing the area's development.

Additionally, the event included an award ceremony for the 2024 Youth College Students' Hong Kong and Macao Situation Research/Interview Essay Competition, recognizing outstanding contributions from student participants.