Abstract: This intervention presents a viewpoint concerning the effective implementation of China’s recent call for the planning and development of the city-regions in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It calls for a careful and sober consideration of what planners and policy makers can and cannot do in this sophisticated process that involves three different administrative regions under “one country two systems”. A critical and situational evaluation suggests that the role to be played by the state cannot be exaggerated, the vested interests of any single party cannot be over-emphasized at the expense of others, the long term wellbeing of the region cannot be sacrificed for short-term gains, and the interests of the natural environment cannot be jeopardized by any developmental endeavor. Planners and policy makers are urged to clearly identify goals and objectives, outline a roadmap to reach the identified destiny, create a favorable institutional environment and economic infrastructure, introduce new systems and mechanism for cross-border integration, organize inclusive consultation and public participation, and provide rules and guidance for development of resources in an efficient, fair and sustainable manner.

Key words: the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, planning and development, cross-border coordination, institution