# HK's superconnector role highlighted at major GBA conference

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/hks-superconnector-role-highlighted-at-major-gba-conference
- Published: 2026-09-11T11:26:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

HONG KONG, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from chinadailyhk.com:

High-level officials and society leaders gathered in Hong Kong on Thursday for a
major conference on integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,
with keynote speakers highlighting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s
role as a "super connector" between the Chinese mainland and global markets amid
rapidly shifting geopolitical and technological landscapes.

[⌊(Front row, from left) Legislative Council member Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, Chairman
of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Frederick Ma Si-hang, LegCo President
Starry Lee Wai-king, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's
Government in the HKSAR Sun Shangwu, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of 
the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Leung Chun-ying, Publisher
and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily Qu Yingpu, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR Hua You, Convenor
of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, Chairman
of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Carlson Tong Ka-shing and Chief Executive
Officer of Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited Dr Levin Wang pose for 
a photo at the opening ceremony of the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in Hong 
Kong, Sept 3, 2026. (ADAM LAM/ CHINA DAILY)⌉⌊(Front row, from left) Legislative 
Council member Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development
Council Frederick Ma Si-hang, LegCo President Starry Lee Wai-king, Deputy Director
of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Sun Shangwu,
Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative
Conference Leung Chun-ying, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily Qu Yingpu,
Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic 
of China in the HKSAR Hua You, Convenor of the Non-Official Members of the Executive
Council Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
Carlson Tong Ka-shing and Chief Executive Officer of Huatai Financial Holdings (
Hong Kong) Limited Dr Levin Wang pose for a photo at the opening ceremony of the
Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in Hong Kong, Sept 3, 2026. (ADAM LAM/ CHINA DAILY
)⌉[
(Front row, from left) Legislative Council member Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, Chairman
of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Frederick Ma Si-hang, LegCo President
Starry Lee Wai-king, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s
Government in the HKSAR Sun Shangwu, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of 
the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Leung Chun-ying, Publisher
and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily Qu Yingpu, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR Hua You, Convenor
of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, Chairman
of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Carlson Tong Ka-shing and Chief Executive
Officer of Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited Dr Levin Wang pose for 
a photo at the opening ceremony of the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in Hong 
Kong, Sept 3, 2026. (ADAM LAM/ CHINA DAILY)

The conference, themed "New Dynamics in Asia-Pacific Cooperation, New Opportunities
for GBA Connectivity", was co-organized by China Daily and the Hong Kong Coalition,
bringing together nearly 300 government officials, consuls general, business leaders
and representatives from think tanks, academia and media, as well as public-private
sector experts from across Asia.

[⌊Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s
Political Consultative Conference, delivers a keynote speech at the Greater Bay 
Area Conference 2026 in Hong Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)⌉⌊Leung
Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference, delivers a keynote speech at the Greater Bay Area Conference
2026 in Hong Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)⌉[
Leung Chun-ying, 
vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative
Conference, delivers a keynote speech at the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in
Hong Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)

Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s
Political Consultative Conference, said that collaborative initiatives unveiled 
recently in data and healthcare between Hong Kong and Nansha in Guangzhou, Guangdong
province, underscore the unique role of Hong Kong as a partner and super connector
linking the Greater Bay Area with the rest of the world.

He said the steps to be taken are clear and necessary — to promote better government-
to-business and business-to-business interactions between Hong Kong and Guangdong.

"The new momentum generated in recent months through cooperation between Guangdong
cities in the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong will benefit other Asia-Pacific countries
and regions," Leung said.

[⌊Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivers a keynote address via a video
during the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in Hong Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND
TANG/CHINA DAILY)⌉⌊Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivers a keynote
address via a video during the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in Hong Kong on 
Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)⌉[
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-
chiu delivers a keynote address via a video during the Greater Bay Area Conference
2026 in Hong Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in a video speech that the Greater
Bay Area is fast becoming one of the most dynamic and integrated economic powerhouses
in the world, underscoring Hong Kong’s role as the only world city that converges
both the China advantage and the global advantage.

Lee said that this role takes on new significance this year, as the 33rd Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting will be held in Shenzhen, Guangdong,
in November, a historic first for the Greater Bay Area, and Hong Kong will host 
the APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting in October. He added that the region is ready
for the spotlight.

Lee said that Hong Kong has a deep and liquid market and a strong pool of financial
and professional talent, and the city has become Asia’s premier fundraising, asset
management and risk management hub.

He said the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology
Innovation Cooperation Zone is key to turning cutting-edge ideas into tangible outcomes
and world-class research into products, by bringing together Hong Kong’s research
excellence and the Chinese mainland’s advanced manufacturing capabilities.

He added that talent is central to Hong Kong’s innovation and technology push, while
highlighting the "one town, five elements" framework for the Northern Metropolis
University Town Area — a hub where universities, research institutes and industries
will be set up together to integrate the five elements of education, technology,
talent, industry and urban development.

"Integrating into and serving overall national development, Hong Kong brings together
ideas, capital and talent across boundaries, and connects the Greater Bay Area with
global markets. Together, we are not just building the Greater Bay Area. We are 
shaping a more connected, innovative and prosperous future," Lee said.

[⌊Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily Qu Yingpu delivers welcome remarks
during the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in Hong Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND
TANG/CHINA DAILY)⌉⌊Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily Qu Yingpu delivers
welcome remarks during the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in Hong Kong on Sept
3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)⌉[
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily
Qu Yingpu delivers welcome remarks during the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in
Hong Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)

Qu Yingpu, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said that the China Daily
Hong Kong Edition has chronicled Hong Kong’s remarkable voyage — enduring storms,
celebrating triumphs and now recording a new era of transformation from stability
to prosperity, aligned with the vibrant rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

"Amid shifting communication landscapes and unprecedented global change, we will
continue to share the living story of and contribute to this ‘one country, two systems’,
the dynamism of the Greater Bay Area and China’s unwavering commitment to an open
global economy," he said.

Qu also said that he believes that Hong Kong will continue to innovate, leap forward
and forge new heights of achievement with its first five-year plan, which is scheduled
to be published on Sept 16.

[⌊Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po delivers a keynote address via video
during the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in Hong Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND
TANG/CHINA DAILY)⌉⌊Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po delivers a keynote
address via video during the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in Hong Kong on Sept
3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)⌉[
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-
po delivers a keynote address via video during the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026
in Hong Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong SAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po stressed connectivity and Hong
Kong’s role in connecting the world in an age of profound change driven by geopolitics
and technological transformation.

"As the country’s most internationally connected region, the Greater Bay Area presents
a strong value proposition for Asia-Pacific collaboration," Chan said. "It rests
on a simple conviction: When we partner, we do not merely add up our strengths —
we multiply them and extend their reach well beyond Asia."

[⌊(From left) Zhou Li, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily and editor-in-chief
of China Daily Hong Kong; Amy Lo, chairman of UBS Global Wealth Management Asia,
head and chief executive of UBS Hong Kong; Edward Tse, founder and CEO of Gao Feng
Advisory Company; Carlson Tong Ka-Shing, chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing
Limited; Levin Wang, chief executive officer of Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong 
Kong) Limited; Robert Lee Wai-wang, member of the Legislative Council; and Mary 
Huen, chief executive officer of Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia at Standard
Chartered, pose for a group photo during a panel discussion at the Greater Bay Area
Conference 2026 in Hong Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)⌉⌊(From left)
Zhou Li, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily and editor-in-chief of China Daily
Hong Kong; Amy Lo, chairman of UBS Global Wealth Management Asia, head and chief
executive of UBS Hong Kong; Edward Tse, founder and CEO of Gao Feng Advisory Company;
Carlson Tong Ka-Shing, chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Levin
Wang, chief executive officer of Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited; 
Robert Lee Wai-wang, member of the Legislative Council; and Mary Huen, chief executive
officer of Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia at Standard Chartered, pose 
for a group photo during a panel discussion at the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026
in Hong Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)⌉[
(From left) Zhou Li, deputy
editor-in-chief of China Daily and editor-in-chief of China Daily Hong Kong; Amy
Lo, chairman of UBS Global Wealth Management Asia, head and chief executive of UBS
Hong Kong; Edward Tse, founder and CEO of Gao Feng Advisory Company; Carlson Tong
Ka-Shing, chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Levin Wang, chief
executive officer of Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited; Robert Lee Wai-
wang, member of the Legislative Council; and Mary Huen, chief executive officer 
of Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia at Standard Chartered, pose for a group
photo during a panel discussion at the Greater Bay Area Conference 2026 in Hong 
Kong on Sept 3, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY)

The conference also featured three panel discussions on Hong Kong’s financial opportunities
in the changing Asia-Pacific landscape, the synergy in commercial aerospace development
between the HKSAR and Shenzhen, and education in the artificial intelligence era.

Panelists highlighted how Hong Kong can seize opportunities arising from deeper 
Asia-Pacific economic and trade cooperation to enhance its influence as a global
financial hub.

Discussions also centered on harnessing the Greater Bay Area’s manufacturing capabilities
and Hong Kong’s strengths, exploring ways to build a collaborative commercial space
ecosystem.

Panelists also examined how the education sector can reinvent its model with AI 
to cultivate talent that serves the Greater Bay Area and the Asia-Pacific market.

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