New book on China as economic powerhouse

Professor Enright, the Sun Hung Kai Professor of Business Administration at the University of Hong Kong, writes that at the forefront of China's economic rise is the Greater Pearl Delta - a region consisting of Hong Kong, Macao and part of the Guangdong Province 'whose unique and complex complementarities have created a regional powerhouse of global importance.'

'The economies of these three areas have become so enmeshed and so intertwined that they really need to be considered as a single integrated economy,' Professor Enright explains.

Powerful combination

The book sets out to show how the GPRD region has benefited from China's economic opening by 'combining the international orientation, business experience, and financial muscle of Hong Kong and Macao with the land, labour and skills of the Chinese mainland.'

It also shows how this combination has created a number of world beating industries and attracted companies and business people from around the globe.

'Many people are interested in the rise of China. The trouble is China has a number of regions - some are driving economic growth and some are holding it back. To the rest of the world, who think of China in terms of Beijing and Shanghai - quite frankly the Greater Pearl River Delta is the largest and fastest growing in the economy, but has almost been beneath the radar screen. This is why we decided to write this book. It is aimed at anyone who is interested in and needs to understand China.'

Hong Kong will maintain an absolutely critical role in linking China's most externally oriented economy to the rest of the world, says Professor Enright. 'It is a key base for foreign companies to manage their operations. Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) surveys revealed that many western companies see the PRD's proximity to Hong Kong as a key selling point.'

This role is set to grow further. In 10 years time, the population of the GPRD will be approximately 75 million - significantly larger than the population of UK or France. In terms of market size, this is the largest and most dynamic regional economy in China - and you can't ignore Hong Kong's weight.

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