4 | Friday, October 18, 2019 EDITION | CHINA

China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable session themed responds to “Greater Bay Area – Connecting Hong Kong, Macao and South­ ern China, Enhancing Collabo­ ration and Partnership with Southeast Asia” is held on Thursday in conjunction with public calls the 2019 World Chinese Busi­ ness and Economic Summit. The two­day summit is dedicat­ HKSAR govt prioritizes livelihood ed to providing a platform for stakeholders of various indus­ issues such as affordable housing tries to explore development potentials and seek opportuni­ By GU MENGYAN in Hong Kong The government offered a pack­ ties for collaboration within the [email protected] age of measures to support SMEs, Bay Area region. such as providing funds for pro­ CHINA DAILY Social groups in Hong Kong motion and facilitating loans. said that this year’s Peter Lam said he expected the by the special administrative initiatives to help them open new region’s chief executive has markets, including the Chinese answered calls to remedy the mainland, and countries and Bay Area, SE Asia poised to boost links problem of increasingly unafford­ regions that are part of the Belt able housing and solve the dead­ and Road Initiative. By YANG HAN in Macao Yeoh, chairman of the WCBES orga­ Bay Area unveiled in February. Wang Wanli, executive director of lock in acquiring more land for Meanwhile, some groups called [email protected] nizing committee, said the world She sees this as more than just the Hong Kong, Macao and Regional public housing. for the government to pay atten­ needs to emphasize partnership as it developing the tourism sector Development Research Department The two pressing social issues tion to problems not covered in the The rise of the Bay Area to become is important for peace and prosperi­ itself. “Tourism will help our peo­ at the China Development Institute have been acknowledged in an policy address. a world­class city cluster means huge ty. ple live a better life in the city,” she in Shenzhen. effort to underpin the recent The Hong Kong Federation of opportunities for Southeast Asian “The will said, adding that 40 million tour­ For example, a total of 18,081 appli­ unrest in Hong Kong. Trade Unions called for more eco­ entrepreneurs for investment and be a powerful force for regional con­ ists are expected to visit Macao this cations under the patent cooperation On Wednesday, Hong Kong nomic relief to front­line employ­ collaboration, speakers told a Bay nectivity to enhance prosperity,” said year. “I hope there’ll be more inte­ treaty of the World Intellectual Prop­ Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng ees whose livelihoods have been Area forum in Macao on Thursday. Yeoh, who’s also the president of the gration and communication in the erty Organization had been filed in Yuet­ngor proposed building more undermined by the economic “The development of the mega Kingsley Strategic Institute for the region.” Shenzhen, accounting for more than public housing units on private downturn triggered by months­ ­Hong Kong­Macao Asia Pacific, a co­organizer of the Diana Chou, chairman of L’Voyage 30 percent of the total applications in land and pledged to provide 10,000 long anti­government protests. Greater Bay Area has taken off, and summit. — a private jet charter consultancy — China, according to a white paper units within the next three years. In addition, the Hong Kong Fed­ is pushing full steam ahead for the Wilfred Wong Ying­wai, president noted the sizeable cluster of interna­ released by Shenzhen in April. The Chinese Manufacturers’ eration of Workers said benefit of enterprises,” said Zhou Li, and chief operating officer of Sands tional and domestic airports in the Simon Lee, managing director of Association of Hong Kong it wants to ensure campuses are publisher and editor­in­chief of Chi­ China – a subsidiary of global resort Bay Area, but she believes there’s still STM Development — a property expressed confidence that the free of political disputes. It also na Daily Asia Pacific, noting that developer Las Vegas Sands – told the room for strengthening its aviation development and real­estate adviso­ measures will help alleviate the suggested the government attach Southeast Asian companies, in par­ forum the Bay Area has its unique connectivity by further developing ry firm based in Australia — said current situation and rebuild peo­ more importance to problems ticular those with a vast pool of Chi­ advantages. For example, Hong general aviation, like helicopters and Australian companies can help add ple’s confidence in the govern­ such as the shortage of teachers nese business links and information, Kong is the world’s biggest offshore other future modes of transport. value to the Bay Area’s development ment. and the relatively low salaries of will find the opportunities created renminbi business center, Macao is “Since 2016, the growth has been in areas like education, healthcare, as The address was also welcomed kindergarten instructors. by the Bay Area attractive and poten­ one of the region’s biggest tourism phenomenal and the government well as cultural and lifestyle services. by the Hong Kong Trade Develop­ Also on Thursday, a question­ tially rewarding. destinations, and Shenzhen is recog­ has poured billions of dollars into Impressed by how convenient it is ment Council, which said the and­answer session for Carrie Lam Serving as an important support nized as the hub of high technology. the industry,” she said. While to travel on the Hong Kong­Zhuhai­ wide­ranging initiatives are to answer lawmakers’ queries pillar for the Belt and Road Initia­ Southeast Asian companies, he Guangzhou now has 33 heliports Macao Bridge — the world’s longest expected to help Hong Kong’s about the address was suspended tive, the Bay Area comprises nine said, will find southern China suita­ and helipads, about 10 percent of the sea­crossing bridge — he said con­ economy and society “ride through twice, and at least 10 opposition cities in Guang­ ble for investment and partnership country’s total, “this is not enough to struction of the Bay Area is not pure­ the current challenges and pre­ lawmakers were dispelled from the dong province and the two special as both regions’ economies are dom­ spearhead the economic growth in ly about building an infrastructure pare for the future”. venue for improper behavior. administrative regions of Hong inated by small and medium sized­ the region that we need”, she said. portfolio. It also presents many indi­ Peter Lam Kin­ngok, chairman During the session, LegCo chair­ Kong and Macao. enterprises. Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow of the rect opportunities. of the council, especially wel­ man Kwan­yuen Deeper collaboration among Wong, who also chairs the Hong Singapore Institute of International The roundtable session is part of comed the government’s support stressed repeatedly that many citi­ Asian businesspeople and compa­ Kong­based Pacific Basin Economic Affairs, said it’s important for the Bay the two­day WCBES being held in for embattled small and medium­ zens look forward to learning nies is especially important at this Council, said challenges, though, are Area to build collaboration with oth­ Macao. Under the theme “Enhanc­ sized enterprises, which are suffer­ more details of the address and time when the region is still experi­ the coexistence of multiple curren­ er city clusters around the world, ing Partnerships and Shared Pros­ ing from the continued social lawmakers should take the chance encing the turbulence brought by the cies, tax systems and administra­ including those in Southeast Asia, to perity Through the BRI”, the summit unrest and economic uncertain­ to raise questions for their voters ongoing trade tensions between Chi­ tions, and governments, at both the develop entrepreneurship. provides a platform for government, ties from the trade war. instead of causing disruptions. na and the United States, Zhou said. central and local levels, need to facil­ Besides the transport connectivity business, think tanks and scholars to Zhou was speaking at a China Dai­ itate the free flow of talent, goods that countries are working to discuss the importance of business ly Asia Leadership Roundtable ses­ and transport in the region. improve, Oh said equal importance as a driver of sustainable economic THE PATH OF REFORM sion themed “Greater Bay Area — Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, should be given to a virtual bridge of growth and people­to­people Connecting Hong Kong, Macao and director of the Macao Government technology that connects the Bay exchange. China Daily is the media Southern China, Enhancing Collabo­ Tourism Office, said Macao is already Area and the rest of Asia to encour­ partner of the summit. Improved efficiency brings ration and Partnership with South­ working with neighboring cities like age innovation. It was previously known as the ” held in conjunction with Zhuhai to enhance Macao’s position “Shenzhen will play a leading role World Chinese Economic Forum, the 2019 World Chinese Business as a world center for tourism and lei­ in building the whole (Bay Area) into which had been held in , city great benefits and Economic Summit. sure – one of four roles it was given in an international center for scientific Hong Kong, London, and Kuala In welcoming remarks, Michael the outline development plan for the research and tech innovation,” said Lumpur and Malacca in Malaysia. By CANG WEI in Nanjing [email protected] 380 to have surgery in time,” Hao said. billion yuan According to Wang, the Dahuai­ In Jiangyin, a county­level city in E­commerce raises incomes, spirits in GDP of Jiangyin, a county­ shu e­commerce station receives an Jiangsu province, a company can level city in Jiangsu province, average of 200 orders per day. From now register and start operations in 2018, with a year­on­year May 15, 2018, to the end of Septem­ within two working days. increase of 7.4 percent Northwest China farming community ber, the station raked in 600,000 People in the city can now get yuan. ownership certificates for real By JIANG YIJING Dahuaishu is not the only place in estate within four working days In 2017, Jiangyin became the [email protected] Chunhua where villagers are using and licenses for construction with­ province’s first pilot county­level an e­commerce platform to sell in 40 working days — two ways the city of “integrated reforms”, which “The sound of tape being torn is goods. city has become one of China’s most aimed to establish efficient govern­ the most inspiring sound in our vil­ Xi Yijun, 45, who lives in Xijia vil­ economically competitive counties. ment services, powerful social lage,” said Wang Jianfeng, the “first lage, lost his legs in an accident 20 “It took my company only 15 assistance and a convenient living secretary” in charge of poverty relief years ago. He ran a little shop to earn working days to get a license for environment. in the village of Dahuaishu in Chun­ a living, and his wife had to do all construction,” said Jin Ming, who Jiangsu province and the city of hua county, province. the farm work. works for Huaxia Construction Wuxi, which has jurisdiction over The sound was coming from the With the assistance of Gongyi Engineering Company. Jiangyin, have allowed the county­ village’s e­commerce station, where Zhonghang, he began to help his “It was about seven days faster level city to simplify procedures for villagers were using sealing tape to wife sell their farm products. than before, and we just needed to businesses and residents and com­ pack boxes of fruit just collected from “At the very beginning, I had no go to the Jiangyin Government plete social work procedures on its farmland. idea how sales would be,” he said. “I Service Center to finish the whole own. The packed fruit will be sent to wondered whether there would be procedure. Chen Jinhu, Party secretary of customers all over China, covering anyone interested in the fruit plant­ “It greatly improved efficiency Jiangyin, said that the reforms 20 provincial regions. A villager smiles while packing farm products in the village of ed by my wife. But things went and saved us time,” he said. have improved people’s well­being Wang was a manager in the execu­ Dahuaishu in Shaanxi province. The village increased its wealth beyond my expectations. The first Jiangyin has made remarkable as well as the business and living tive office of the Bank of China in Bei­ through e­commerce thanks to help from the Bank of China. day I ran the business, I got 21 achievements. Its GDP in 2018 environments. jing and went to Dahuaishu to serve WANG JIANFENG / FOR CHINA DAILY orders, which encouraged me a lot. reached 380 billion yuan ($53.7 bil­ “We’re striving to establish a city as the secretary of its Party commit­ “It is inconvenient for me to work lion) with a year­on­year increase with the fewest matters needing to tee in May 2018. bao or Gongyi Zhonghang, which ry­771 BC) — was discovered. without legs, and thus my wife had of 7.4 percent. be approved by government, the “When I first came to the village, I was set up by the Bank of China to “It’s important to help villagers to do all the work, which made her With an area of 987 square kilo­ highest efficiency and the best was amazed by the delicious cher­ help with poverty alleviation. build their confidence,” Wang said. really tired. There was a time I meters and a population of less investment environment,” he said. ries, which were not only red and big, The station also collaborated with Hao Shimin, a farmer in the vil­ almost lost confidence in life. than 3 million, the city has 11 of “The per capita disposable income but also juicy and sweet,” Wang express companies to improve deliv­ lage, has seen success. “However, since I joined the China’s top 500 enterprises, 48 list­ of Jiangyin’s rural residents has recalled. However, to his surprise, the ery efficiency. “Every time I see the logo on the e­commerce platform, our sales ed companies and 54 listed on Chi­ ranked first in the province for 19 fruit was difficult to sell because of “SF Express is the fastest, and Chi­ mailbox, a sense of pride comes to my have become better and I could do na’s National Equities Exchange consecutive years.” the lack of a marketing channel, so it na Post can reach the most remote mind,” said Hao, 68. all the work on a computer.” and Quotations, also known as the “We have also made specific was sold to some local business peo­ areas,” Wang said. “In the past, I always worried According to statistics released by “new third board”. plans to improve problems that ple at a low price. Connecting with an e­commerce about where to sell my cherries and the Bank of China, there are 328 Jiangyin ranked second among affect people’s lives, including edu­ “As the ‘first secretary’ who came platform was more than enough to even thought of giving up planting. people who live in Chunhua like Xi, China’s 100 strongest counties in cation, medical services and cul­ to help villagers increase their sell the village’s products. But Wang But with the assistance of e­com­ who run their own businesses on 2019 in measures such as the econ­ ture.” income, I ought to do something. also decided to build a brand for merce, the fruit can be sold all over the e­commerce platform. omy, environment and incomes, For example, by June, 208 villa­ E­commerce should be a good way to them to make the products distin­ China, so I decided to plant more “The reason for us to introduce according to a list recently released ges in the city, benefiting more sell the fruit at a higher price and give guishable from others. next year.” them to e­commerce is not just to by CCID Consulting Group, a sci­ than 138,000 people, have been people from other provinces access He asked an agency to design a Earlier this year, Hao’s wife had help them get rid of poverty, but also entific research institution directly covered by its village­level medical to it,” Wang said. logo for the e­commerce station with surgery for bone disease in her to assist with building confidence attached to the Ministry of Indus­ insurance system. After a year’s preparation, on May the elements of a tree, soil and a thigh, which was paid for with the and expanding horizons,” Wang try and Information Technology. Also, by using an app called Zui 15, the e­commerce station in Dahua­ large, ancient cauldron used to cook 20,000 yuan ($2,800) he earned said. “It is important to let them Its constant reforms in economy, Jiangyin, residents can more easi­ ishu started its business. Fruit, nuts meat. That’s because Dahuaishu is from selling cherries. know that with reform and open­ culture and environment have fur­ ly perform certain tasks, including and grains from the village could be where the nation’s largest such caul­ “Thanks to the e­commerce plat­ ing­up, Chinese people can do busi­ ther improved the local economy, paying water bills and applying sold anywhere in China through an dron — an artifact dating back to the form that helped me sell the cher­ ness in a more direct and social development and people’s for certificates and patent regis­ e­commerce platform, such as Tao­ Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th centu­ ries at a good price, my wife was able convenient way.” well­being. tration.