On Nov 17, Chenzhou city in Hunan province held a special research symposium with the Chenzhou group of deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) on the all-around docking with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Han Yongwen, vice-chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, and other members of the Chenzhou NPC deputy group attended the meeting. Liu Zhiren, Party secretary of Chenzhou, delivered a speech, and Zhang Aiguo, Party secretary and acting director of the standing committee of the city people's congress, presided over the meeting. 

At the meeting, the government reported on the growth poles of the city's connection with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Since the beginning of this year, Chenzhou has implemented the provincial Party committee's strategy, and issued a three-year action plan by which it will grow into a major growth pole connecting Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macao.

On Nov 9, delegates from the Chenzhou Party committee and government paid a research visit to Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong, to explore deepening cooperation and exchanges with the Greater Bay Area in such fields as ports, high-tech industrial parks, marketing of high-quality agricultural products, cultural and tourism boutique routes, and public undertakings. 

Chenzhou has 126 food basket certification bases providing supplies for the Greater Bay Area. 

As of the end of October, the Chenzhou Distribution Center had sold 18,000 tons of agricultural and sideline products to the Bay Area, ranking second in the country in terms of sales volume on the production and marketing platforms in the area. 

From January to September, the added value of the city's industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 10.8 percent year-on-year. The city received 60.82 million tourists, up 42.82 percent year-on-year, and achieved total tourism revenue of 56.26 billion yuan, an increase of 41.08 percent year-on-year. The city's total value of logistics was 626.47 billion yuan, up 7.2 percent year-on-year. 

Han put forward opinions and suggestions on the three aspects of how to analyze the existing advantages and disadvantages, summarize successful experiences and shortcomings, and attract investment for the industry. 

Other participants echoed their views on how to attract professionals and investment and boost technological innovation, infrastructure construction and cultural tourism.

Liu said it is necessary to further promote the interconnection of infrastructure. Chenzhou should open channels and attract quality projects to smooth docking with the Bay Area. It also needs to develop cold chain logistics and build a core hub of agricultural and sideline products for the region.

Liu said the integration of Chenzhou's development into the Bay Area not only serves the national plan, but also meets an urgent need for industrial growth.

Chenzhou views the interaction with the Bay Area as a key part of its development and aims to further optimize its business environment, enhance open cooperation, and share resources.

Liu said departments at all levels should deepen ties with Guangzhou and establish a normalized connection system for decision-makers as well as a mechanism for consultation and cooperation in the long run. The cooperation will contribute greatly to the coordinated development of Hunan and Guangdong.