The “Greater Bay Area”, touted as China’s answer to Silicon Valley, may serve as a symbol of China’s determination to match US technological might, but a shortage of top-notch talent and schools, along with the simmering trade war between the US and China, have clouded its prospects in the short term, according to analysts.

Beijing wants this proposed integrated area, which links nine cities in Guangdong province – including Shenzhen and Guangzhou – with the Hong Kong and Macau special administrative regions, to become an economic powerhouse that can match any other technology hub on the planet. This may take time though.

The detailed bay area plan, released by Xinhua on Monday evening, vows to develop an international innovation and technology hub.