China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA) is rapidly emerging as a global innovation hub, drawing in top talent and fostering cutting-edge research.
Just a year ago, Yan Ning, an esteemed academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, left her teaching position at Princeton University to establish the Shenzhen Academy of Medical Sciences in Guangdong Province. In just 12 months, her laboratory transformed from an empty space into a state-of-the-art facility, attracting dozens of leading medical experts.
“In the past year, I have felt the joy of entrepreneurship and the sense of accomplishment that my dream has come true,” Yan shared about her journey.
Yan’s story highlights the GBA’s rise as a magnet for innovation and talent. The 2019 Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area set the vision to build an international science and technology innovation center. Over the past five years, collaboration between Guangdong Province and the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions (SARs) has deepened, promoting a seamless flow of talent, data, and capital.
A Thriving Innovation Ecosystem
The GBA, which includes nine cities in Guangdong Province along with the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, is one of China’s most dynamic regions for scientific advancement. In Shenzhen’s Guangming District, the development of Guangming Science City focuses on information technology, life sciences, and new materials. This initiative brings together over 20 academician teams and more than 5,400 research professionals from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
To the south, renowned institutions such as the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong contribute significantly to the region’s progress. Nancy Ip, president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, emphasized the region’s unique strengths.
“Hong Kong has strong scientific research capabilities and the status of an international financial center, while the nine mainland cities offer a robust industrial system and access to a vast market,” she said. “Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao have complementary advantages in science and innovation, and can integrate national and even global resources to build a world-class science and innovation ecosystem.”
Attracting Global Talent
The GBA’s success is fueled by its diverse talent pool. A report by the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University revealed that more than 25% of talents in the GBA have studied abroad, with over 30% holding master’s or doctoral degrees.
Currently, over 200,000 residents from Hong Kong and Macao are working in Guangdong, with more than 3,000 professionals obtaining mainland qualifications. Initiatives like Hong Kong’s Top Talent Pass have further bolstered these efforts, attracting nearly 180,000 professionals to the city.
Empowering the Next Generation
The GBA is also committed to nurturing future innovators. Across the region, schools are collaborating with leading technology companies to integrate cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) into their curricula. For example, Macao Haojiang Middle School partnered with iFlytek to introduce AI education, offering courses like “License Plate Recognition in Autonomous Driving.”
In Hong Kong, the GBA Youth AI Development Centre, established by Sensetime and Zunke, aims to nurture future AI leaders. The center plans to expand training and exchange activities targeting primary and secondary school students and young people in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Strengthening Collaboration
The development of the GBA represents a significant milestone in advancing the “One Country, Two Systems” framework. Efforts to deepen integration and innovation across the region showcase the strengths of this approach, fostering economic development and social progress.
As the GBA continues to grow, its emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and talent development positions it as a beacon of opportunity for young people and professionals worldwide.
Reference(s):
The Greater Bay Area: A new innovation hub for talent mobility
cgtn.com
