China should build a "big bay area" to integrate the development of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, a national political advisor said in Beijing on Thursday.

Dr. Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, chairman of the Hong Kong-based Sunwah Group, is pinning high hopes on the cooperation between the three over the next five years.

The three regions must work together to achieve a better future, said Dr. Choi, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) that provides advice to the nation's top legislative body, the National People's Congress (NPC).

"Bay areas have already been built in New York and Tokyo. The Pearl River Delta can match them," Dr. Choi said. "It will integrate the strengths of Hong Kong and Guangdong, and bring benefits to both regions during the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road."

The 12th CPPCC National Committee, as the country's top political advisory body, opened its annual meeting on March 3 in Beijing. More than 2,000 members will discuss major political, economic and social issues during a session running until March 14.