26 November 2021, Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao delivered remarks at the opening session of the Virtual Tour to the Greater Bay Area for Foreign Businesses in Hong Kong via video link.

Wu Jianghao said that four years ago, President Xi Jinping personally engaged in the planning of, gave instructions on and promoted the development of the major national strategy of the Greater Bay Area. Four years on, the Greater Bay Area enjoys distinctive geographical advantages, brings increasing institutional dividends and holds growing strategic value. An international first-class bay area that attracts global attention is taking shape.

Wu Jianghao noted that opening up is a fundamental national policy and a defining feature of China. As China continues to comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, the Greater Bay Area will surely become the front-runner in that endeavor and Hong Kong will be an important engine. Hong Kong’s important role as a bridge to the rest of the world will not change. Its important status as an international economic and financial hub will not change. And its important role as a bond between Chinese and Western cultures will not change. We have every confidence in Hong Kong’s future development.

Wu Jianghao said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will make full use of its diplomatic strengths to communicate and promote to the world the Greater Bay Area strategy, support the area in deepening its exchanges and cooperation with countries and regions around the world. The MFA will continue to fully and faithfully implement the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and resolutely guard against and deter some ill-intentioned external forces’ meddling in the affairs of Hong Kong and their disruptions to Hong Kong’s stability. It will strive to ensure development, prosperity and long-term stability of Hong Kong.

Wu Jianghao stressed that investing in the Greater Bay Area means investing in China, and embracing the area means embracing the future. He expressed his hope for foreign businesses in Hong Kong to use the Greater Bay Area as a platform to pool wisdom and resources and continue to uphold Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability, participate in China’s endeavor of comprehensively deepening reform, and contribute to global inter-connectivity and economic globalization.

The Virtual Tour to the Greater Bay Area for Foreign Businesses in Hong Kong under the theme of “A New Journey with Greater Opportunities” is co-hosted by the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, the HKSAR Government, and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province. About 400 people, including principal officials of the MFA, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, National Development Reform Commission and Guangdong Province, officials of the HKSAR Government, members from international and local chambers of commerce, and business representatives, attended the event in an in-person and online mixed format.