People's Daily Online, March 29 (San Francisco) - Jointly launched by People’s Daily Online and People’s Daily West USA, the Global Bay Area Cooperation and Development Forum (GBAF), an international gathering aiming to deepen cooperation between bay areas, kicked off on March 29, 2019.

Below are highlights of remarks by some participants:

Wang Donghua, Consul General of China in San Francisco

“Globalization and increased open collaboration have led to the booming economic success of bay areas worldwide. International participation and mutually beneficial success facilitated by talents and experts from all walks of life have made this possible. Restricting the flow of technologies and intellect will only lead to self-imposed isolation.”

Jim Wunderman, President and CEO of the Bay Area Council

“Depending on the government formation, certain areas may not work together and communicate, leading to separate approaches in development. This leads to the construction of systems that don’t connect to other systems already in place. This forum can lead the way for rethinking that strategy and encourage people to work together rather than building this or that and then figuring out later how it will all go together cost-effectively and efficiently. The SF Bay Area is like one big shared platform, and people are not in their corner just doing their own thing—they’re working together.”

Steven Rockefeller Jr, Chairman of PFC & SRJ culture

"I have high expectations for [China’s first bay area], as it is a region with the largest economic aggregate in China and is in the vanguard of China’s bay area economy."

Wang Jun, President of the Academy of Greater Bay Area Studies

"Unlike its international counterparts, the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area will not only feature finance and tech innovation, but also focus on green development, better living quality for the residents, as well as further opening-up to the world. In a word, our bay area will be a diversified and comprehensive one."

Cherry Huang, Chairman, New York Young Entrepreneurs Roundtable

Looking at how China has developed over the last 40 years is truly magical, and I myself am a beneficiary. The world is ready to see China develop to the next level. Art and culture not only enhance individual lives, but will also become a way to improve a city from a good one into a great one.

Thomas Francis Knapp, New York City-based Fine Art Consultant

About six weeks ago I was able to visit Guangzhou, and what struck me was the potential for that city to become a destination for culture. It's limitless.

Guangzhou for me is the new Silk Road. It is the entrance to modern China, but it also showcases the old.

Wu Xiaoling, Deputy Director of the Translation Department, Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office

Cultural and creative industries are set to become a great engine and growth pole for socioeconomic development. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a hub for multi-cultural integration and international cultural exchange, and plays a vital role in inheriting traditional Chinese culture, especially Lingnan culture.