The first Conference of Overseas Chinese in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area opens at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Center on November 12, 2019. [Photo by Yu Zhaoyu]

The meeting, which spotlighted the theme of "Gathering the Power of Overseas Chinese to Promote the Construction of the Greater Bay Area", attracted more than 440 overseas Chinese from 108 countries and regions.

During the opening ceremony, Choi Koon Shum, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, also a well-known Zhongshan native, presented his address on behalf of many outstanding figures. He stated that Hong Kong will be able to fully utilize its advantages in the fields of finance and modern service industries, while providing important support for the connections between the Greater Bay Area and international financial markets. Coordinating with Guangdong's advanced manufacturing clusters, Hong Kong will help companies in the Greater Bay Area to allocate funds more effectively, expand their businesses, and further promote international economic and trade cooperation.

This event was a special promotion seminar for nine cities in the Greater Bay Area. Yang Wenlong, Executive Vice Mayor of Zhongshan, introduced a basic plan for building a new pattern of urban development in Zhongshan, a high-level scientific city, a scientific innovation engine, an international cooperation and innovation zone in biomedical science and technology, and a transportation hub on the west wing of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, the plan outlines the idea of deeply excavating and carrying forward Sun Yat-sen Culture resources. This was a showcase for the attendees to witness the ideas and measures of Zhongshan's participation in the construction of the Greater Bay Area as well as the early results.

More than 20 overseas Chinese of Zhongshan origin from 13 countries and regions, including Canada, the United States, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Hong Kong and Macao, were invited to attend the conference.