China's recently unveiled blueprint for Guangzhou's Nansha district in southern Guangdong province is set to further enhance cooperation and expand opening-up in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, officials said on June 24.

They said the blueprint from the State Council, China's Cabinet, will offer opportunities for Guangzhou to play a key functional role in the GBA, foster high-quality and innovation-driven development in the area and inject strong impetus into the country's economy.

Their remarks came after the State Council recently issued an overall plan for the Nansha district to deepen comprehensive cooperation between Guangdong and the Hong Kong and Macao administrative regions.

The plan, which aims to build Nansha into a key platform to provide strong support for Hong Kong and Macao to better integrate into the country's overall development, also said construction of a rule convergence mechanism and a high-quality urban development landmark would be facilitated.

Guo Lanfeng, a member of the CPC Leadership Group of the National Development and Reform Commission, said the new plan will help build the GBA as a gateway for high-level opening-up and drive further cooperation in the area.

According to the plan, the construction of a scientific and technological innovation industry cooperation base will be accelerated in Nansha, which is already part of the Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone, to strengthen joint innovation between Guangdong and the two special administrative regions.

Development of high-tech industries, creating a major scientific and technological innovation platform and promotion of international high-end talent will be major tasks for Nansha's future development, according to the plan.

Wang Xin, director-general of the research bureau of the People's Bank of China, said the central bank will strongly support the modern financial sector in Nansha and continuously promote the implementation of innovative measures including pilot reforms on the high-level opening-up of cross-border trade and investment.

Zhang Hu, executive vice-governor of Guangdong, said the province will accelerate the introduction of new policies to implement the overall plan, start the preparation of new development plans for Nansha, and strengthen communication and collaboration with Hong Kong and Macao.

"We will support Nansha to promote the connection of rules with Hong Kong and Macao in terms of scientific and technological innovation, industrial development, people's livelihood, cultural exchanges, urban development and other key fields," he said.