“Greater Bay Area Conference: Inclusive Growth through Innovation and Sustainability” was held successfully

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October 10, 2019 - Co-organized by the Silk Road Economic Development Research Center and China Daily, “Greater Bay Area Conference: Inclusive Growth through Innovation and Sustainability”, previously known as Belt and Road Conference, was sucessfully held in Marriott Hong Kong Ocean Park, having brought together more than 300 political and business elites. Mr. Joseph Chan, Our Center Chairman and Mr. Zhou Li, Editorial Board Member of China Daily Group and Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of China Daily Asia Pacific delivered welcoming remarks. The Honourable Mr. C.Y. Leung, GBM, GBS, JP, Vice Chairman of The National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference delivered keynote address. Mr. Joseph Chan, mentioned that under Greater Bay Area development plan, participated regions can obtain a win-win situation through synergies created among regions. For Hong Kong, it’s “super-connector” role, is also applicable in the Greater Bay Area development plan.

 

A panel discussion was held in two parts after keynote address. The first part, themed “Cross-sector Business Collaboration in the Greater Bay Area”, was hosted by Prof. Edward CHEN Kwan Yiu, Chairman, HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education. Prof. SHEN Minghao, Dean, Great Bay Area Institute (Guangdong, Hongkong, Macau); Mr. Pantazis THERIANOS, Chief Executive Officer, Euroterra Capital; and Dr. Thomas S. T. SO, Chairman of Belt and Road Committee and Greater Bay Area Working Group, the Law Society of Hong Kong were invited as guest speakers and examined how various sectors can work together to reap opportunities in the Greater Bay Area. Mr. Pantazis THERIANOS, stated that Greater Bay Area development plan is young initiative, and it should be considered as long term development. He found that differences accounting and legal systems among Greater Bay Area, become obstacles of business operation. According to his past business operation experiences in Europe, he believes that the cooperation between Governments and enterprises can be the solution.

 

The second part, themed “Evolution of Smart Healthcare: Technology & Connected Data”, was hosted by Prof. Hong FUNG, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, CUHK Medical Centre. Dr. Ricky Yin-To CHIU, Founder & CEO, PHASE Scientific; Prof. Chung-Mau LO, Hospital Chief Executive, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital; Prof. Anthony T Y WU, Standing Committee Member, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee; and Mr. Gary ZHANG, Chairman, Oriental Patron / iCarbonX Health Care Investment and Business Committee were invited as guest speakers. They had extensive and in-depth discussions about the evolution of smart healthcare, including big data analysis, and the opportunities it opens up across the sector and other peripheral industries. Dr. Ricky CHIU mentioned that lots of biotech companies set bases in Hong Kong for business and sales purpose only. HKSAR Government should allocate more resources in order to further develop Biotech industry. Mr. Gary ZHANG stated that Healthcare will play an important role in future. Under integration of big data analysis and technology, efficiency of medical diagnosis will be increased.

 

Panel discussion was followed by lunch dialogue, themed "Shenzhen as a Pilot Demonstration Area: Opportunities and Challenges for Hong Kong”. Prof. Witman HUNG, Principal Liaison Officer for Hong Kong, Shenzhen Qianhai Authority; and Dr. GUO Wanda, Executive Vice-President, the China Development Institute, were invited to exchange views on Hong Kong’s opportunities and challenges in turning Shenzhen into a pilot demonstration area.