GUANGZHOU — Researchers within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) are advancing high-tech innovation through cross-regional collaboration that integrates industry, academia, and government. A recent example comes from a laboratory at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), where scientists are employing virtual reality to explore how small adjustments in vehicle design—such as seat heating—can enhance passenger comfort while lowering energy consumption.
The research leverages simulation technologies developed in Hong Kong, located just a few hours away, enabling the conversion of experimental data into practical applications that optimize energy use without compromising safety. He Dengbo, head of the traffic psychology and safety lab, noted that the collaboration has expanded the scope of their work beyond driver behavior analysis to include the cockpit environment as a key factor influencing energy efficiency.
Officially inaugurated in 2022, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) embodies a cross-disciplinary academic model, offering programs in 16 fields, including advanced materials and artificial intelligence. It joins a network of research institutions established by Hong Kong and Macao universities in Guangdong, which currently counts 31 R&D centers. The GBA itself hosts 45 State key laboratories, underscoring its status as one of China’s primary innovation hubs.
The Greater Bay Area spans approximately 56,000 square kilometers across nine Guangdong cities, as well as Hong Kong and Macao. Its economic strength is reinforced by shared language, integrated industrial chains, and high population mobility. This environment fosters innovation by enabling more seamless integration of talent, research, and industrial development.
According to Chen Yushan, deputy head of the Guangdong Institute of Science and Technology Information, Guangdong offers rich scientific resources, while Hong Kong and Macao contribute strengths in basic research and international collaboration. In the Pearl River Delta, particularly Shenzhen, a robust manufacturing base supports industrial transformation. Shenzhen is home to major companies such as new energy vehicle manufacturer BYD and internet giant Tencent, which provide comprehensive services supporting commercialization and market entry.
Since 2025, the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone has facilitated the commercialization of 123 research projects originating from Hong Kong universities. These efforts typically follow a pattern that includes Hong Kong-based basic research, Shenzhen-based commercialization, manufacturing within the Greater Bay Area, and final listings in Hong Kong before expanding overseas.
A parallel model exists in Hengqin, an island district of Zhuhai adjoining Macao. The Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone there supports the manufacturing and commercialization of innovative traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) developed in Macao. Wu Song, chairman of the TCM Science and Technology Industrial Park within the zone, described the cooperation as an effective approach for advancing both the TCM industry and the diversified development of Macao’s economy by connecting mainland resources with global demand.
Looking ahead, Zhang Zhansheng, deputy director of the Guangdong provincial department of science and technology, emphasized ongoing efforts to coordinate research across the three regions in cutting-edge fields including artificial intelligence, life and health sciences, quantum technology, and the low-altitude economy. Strengthening collaboration throughout the full innovation chain—from R&D to incubation and industrial scaling—remains a key priority for the Greater Bay Area’s development strategy.