Protests in Hong Kong have prompted China to speed up its vast regional development program, the Greater Bay Area Project. Beijing has long planned this, but believes the promise of strong economic growth will ease anger in Hong Kong – which will lose its special status in 28 years, when there will no longer be a guarantee of the “one country, two systems” policy. The government wants to make Hong Kong a key part of a cluster of cities in the Pearl River Delta to create vibrant economic areas. Chinese president Xi Jinping describes the Greater Bay Project as central to China’s “Great National Rejuvenation.” Hong Kong is just a part of a greater plan.