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Former Hong Kong stock exchange boss Charles Li pushes for enhanced mobility in Greater Bay Area to speed up business interconnectivity
- Charles Li said wider adoption of technology such as facial recognition in the GBA could potentially enhance mobility in the megalopolis
- At a conference, Li shared his vision of a programme that would allow easier travel within the GBA, without violating tax, emigration or labour laws
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Iris Dengin Shenzhen
The former boss of Hong Kong stock exchange, Charles Li Xiaojia, on Wednesday said wider adoption of advanced technology such as facial recognition has the potential to enhance mobility in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), as he shared his vision of a programme that would allow easier travel for businesspeople and other groups within the megalopolis, without violating tax, emigration or labour laws.
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“The interconnectivity between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau boils down to the exchange of people, money and thoughts,” Li said in a conference organised by Singaporean multinational bank DBS on the GBA development zone, which comprises the two special administrative regions and nine cities in the southern coastal province.
While the internet has helped break the boundaries for thought, the easing of geographical limitations to help people move around would be key to achieving interconnectivity in the GBA, according to Li, the former chief executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing and co-founder of financial technology platform Micro Connect.
Although interconnectivity in finance still has a long way to go, Li indicated that the GBA master plan must remove real-life hindrances and obstacles that impede the mobility of people living in this vast area.
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In finance, Li said Hong Kong as well as Macau can serve as connectors between international venture capital and GBA-based companies, especially those involved in hi-tech industries.
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“While there is abundant capital domestically, overseas capital can help bring new perspectives and ideas to local innovations, which could have long-term implications for the globalisation of local companies,” he said.
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