The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: The Challenge of Economic and Political Integration

Xiao, Yuchen (2025) The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: The Challenge of Economic and Political Integration PhD thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), officially launched with the release of its Outline Development Plan in 2019, represents a pivotal moment in economic and political integration. This abstract synthesizes a study examining such integration within the GBA, which uniquely encompasses two different governance systems, three currencies, and three customs territories―a distinctive arrangement compared to other global bay areas such as those in Japan and the United States. The GBA agenda was situated with the context of lessons from other political and economic integration processes, specifically in the European Union (EU), the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and three bay areas (Tokyo, New York, and San Francisco). This study is also framed within a substantive academic literature concerning economic and political integration processes, asymmetrical federalism, institutionalism, and industrial-innovation clusters. This research utilized a mixed-method approach, combining semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. Those interviews were conducted with 68 individuals residing and working within the GBA. Progress was discussed in relation to employment and recruitment issues, trade, banking and finance and transportation and public perceptions of success. The study also considered obstacles in the implementation of this agenda resulting from regulatory or organizational cultures, government, social or cultural dysfunction, contrasting legal regimes, labour mobility and education, distinctive currencies and monetary regimes, identity differences and COVID-19. In the final chapter, these findings were discussed through the academic literature specified in earlier the thesis, and recommendations to facilitate the GBA’s development were outlined.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences > School of Management
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	24 Apr 2025 10:34
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 10:36
DOI:	10.17638/03190517
Supervisors:	Cole, Michael Li, Ming
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3190517
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