The Greater Bay Area has gained full momentum in the past five years. Guangdong and Hong Kong have joined hands to promote industrial development at a rapid pace.

The Greater Bay Area has gained full momentum in five years

Guangdong and Hong Kong join hands to build Conghua Racecourse to promote industrial development at a rapid pace

　　It takes more than an hour to drive from downtown Guangzhou to Conghua District, which is surrounded by mountains and rivers.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Conghua Racecourse is located on the hillside by the Liuxi River in Conghua, surrounded by lush trees and rolling peaks.

Five years ago, on February 18, the "Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area" was officially released, proposing to strengthen cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland and promote the development of equestrian sports and related industries.

In the past five years, more than 25,000 horse racing horses have traveled between Guangdong and Hong Kong. Conghua Racecourse has also transformed from a world-class horse training center to a core project promoting the development of the horse industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It has also become a key project in Guangdong under the "one country, two systems" A vivid portrayal of the institutional innovation and complementary advantages of Hong Kong and Hong Kong, contributing "horsepower" to the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area.

New driving force for consumption growth

　　In 2009, Guangzhou, which was preparing to host the Asian Games, became the first city in the mainland to host an international equestrian competition.

Due to lack of relevant experience, the Guangzhou Asian Organizing Committee chose to "ask for help" from Hong Kong and signed a cooperation agreement with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, one of the largest horse racing organizations in the world.

　　The Hong Kong Jockey Club provides comprehensive technical services for the equestrian events of the Asian Games, including venue construction and technical support at Conghua Racecourse.

After the race, Conghua Racecourse was handed over to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for renovation and expansion, and developed into a world-class horse training center.

　　Compared with the historic Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong and the world-famous Shatin Racecourse in Hong Kong, what is unique about the "young" Conghua Racecourse?

Chen Yuepeng, head of the Mainland Affairs Department of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, told reporters that Conghua Racecourse has better conditions in terms of environment, training facilities, treatment and rehabilitation facilities.

　　Conghua Racecourse covers an area of ​​more than 150 hectares, more than 20 standard football fields. The spacious environment can make horses feel comfortable.

The training facilities at Conghua Racecourse are also more advanced. There is a mountaineering track that is not available in Hong Kong, which can specifically train the hind limb strength of horses.

In addition, Conghua Racecourse also has the country's leading international equine hospital and equine treatment facilities.

"Horses that receive training and treatment at Conghua Racecourse and then return to Hong Kong to compete usually have very good results." Chen Yuepeng said with a smile.

　　In the future, Conghua Racecourse will not only be a horse training center, but also plans to host regular horse racing events from April 2026.

Conghua Racecourse is building a spectator stand that can accommodate more than 9,500 people and is expected to be completed in 2025.

"We believe that Conghua Racecourse will become a new engine for local economic development." Chen Yuepeng hopes that the holding of regular horse racing events will bring more tourists and more economic growth points, and promote the integration of different industrial chains in sports, culture, and tourism. Promote high-quality economic development in Guangdong.

The "seed" of the horse industry

　　The development of the horse industry cannot be separated from the support of talents.

According to statistics, Conghua Racecourse has nearly 900 employees, most of whom are mainland employees, and more than 400 employees are local residents of Conghua.

　　Zheng Wenshen, a Conghua resident, became a stable assistant at Conghua Racecourse six years ago with his love for animals.

He starts working at 4 a.m. every day and is mainly responsible for taking care of the horses, including grooming, feeding, and preparation for training.

　　The job of a stable assistant is not easy, but when he talks about horses, the corners of Zheng Wenshen's mouth can't help but curl up.

He told reporters that he most likes to comb the horse's mane and have close physical contact with the horse. "The horse is like a dog at home. It is very kind and relaxed to get along with."

　　Zheng Wenshen had never been exposed to horse-related industries before working at Conghua Racecourse.

Through the talent training program of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, he learned professional horse knowledge and practical operations, went to Hong Kong's Sha Tin Racecourse to experience the horse racing culture, and gradually entered horse sports and related industries.

Today, he has been promoted to assistant stable director, responsible for data collection and other tasks of horse training.

　　In addition to local employees, Conghua Racecourse also has many employees from Hong Kong, including Huang Zeshun who provides technical guidance for the construction of the racecourse.

　　Huang Zeshun, who graduated from the Department of Biology of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, has worked for the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 22 years. In 2010, he came to Conghua from Hong Kong to participate in work related to the Guangzhou Asian Games.

Now, as the administrative manager of track, horse racing projects and facilities at Conghua Racecourse, he is responsible for the maintenance of track and horse racing facilities and the security of equestrian activity venues.

　　“When I first came here, there were basically no technicians familiar with horse racing venues in the mainland,” Huang Zeshun told reporters.

In 2010, he recruited 10 local Conghua residents to form a team responsible for maintaining the site and provide them with hands-on training.

Today, the team has grown to 41 people.

　　In Huang Zeshun's view, he is like a "seed" brought from Hong Kong that blossoms and bears fruit in Conghua.

　　Nanfang Daily reporter Wu Binbin Coordinator: Chen Yu