The 12th Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation and Development Forum and Economic & Trade Fair was hosted in Guangzhou on Sept 5, with the attendance of several top government officials such as Guangdong Party Secretary Li Xi and Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of Hong Kong.

The 2018 Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation Chief Executive Joint Conference is held in Guangzhou on Sept 5. [Photo/pprd.org.cn] 

With a theme of "Greater Bay Area: Driving Innovation, Collaboration and Opportunities", the events implemented the "Digital China" development strategy and jointly promoted development and cooperation in the Pan-Pearl River Delta region in Internet Plus, e-government, smart society, digital economy and big data and established a forefront for "Digital China" construction.

Li addressed the forum, extending his welcome to all the participants. He pointed out four key opportunities provided by the forum and fair which included the opportunities brought by the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up policy, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and global sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam also spoke at the events, saying that Hong Kong will play an active role in national development and adhere to the promotion of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area construction and Pan-Pearl River regional cooperation and development in the framework of "one country, two systems", while giving full play to Hong Kong's financial capital, technological innovation, personnel training, transportation and logistics, and the rule of law. She also noted that Hong Kong will join hands with the Pan- Pearl River Delta Region to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative construction, and increase efforts to promote development of advantageous industries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Pan-Pearl Region. Hong Kong will also solidly promote cross-border infrastructure interconnection, and accelerate the construction of an international innovation and technology center.