The central government has announced eight policies to move forward the development of the Greater Bay Area.

• Stays on the mainland of less than 24 hours will not be regarded as part of the 183-day threshold for paying individual income tax on the mainland.

• Highly-skilled talent from Hong Kong, Macao and overseas will benefit from tax concessions.

• Residents of Hong Kong and Macao will be permitted to apply for jobs at public institutions in nine cities in Guangdong province within the Bay Area.

• Efforts will be made to encourage young people from Hong Kong and Macao to participate in innovation and entrepreneurship programs in the nine cities.

• Support will be provided to enable higher education establishments and scientific research institutes in Hong Kong and Macao to participate in Guangdong’s scientific and technological programs.

• Border clearance procedures will be simplified within the Bay Area.

• The entry and exit of vehicles from Hong Kong and Macao to the mainland will see greater facilitation.

• The scope of rapid customs clearance for goods across the three customs territories within the Greater Bay Area will be expanded.

Timeline:

April 2017: The Shenzhen Education Bureau announces that the children of Hong Kong and Macao residents can apply for admission to public primary schools in the city, even if they do not hold mainland household registration.

October 2017: The Ministry of Finance establishes a special scholarship for Hong Kong, Macao and overseas Chinese students who enroll at mainland universities.

December 2017: People from Hong Kong and Macao who live on the mainland are granted equal rights to the Housing Provident Fund. Hong Kong and Macao residents can obtain Home Return Permits at automatic vending machines.

May 2018: President Xi Jinping issues a directive to accelerate the development of Hong Kong as an international center for innovation and technology. The ministries of science and technology, and finance subsequently announce that universities and other scientific institutions in Hong Kong can apply directly to the central government for funding.

July 2018: The China National Arts Fund announces that it will begin accepting grant applications from artists in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan in the first half of 2019.

August 2018: The State Council announces that residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan can apply for residence permits on the Chinese mainland, and people from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan will no longer require work permits to take jobs on the mainland.