The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
Greater Bay Area Working Group
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is one of China’s most open and dynamic economies, with a vast market that drives continuous innovation. Leveraging its unique advantages under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, Hong Kong plays a vital role in “going global and attracting foreign investment” within the region. The city also serves as an essential bridge between the Chinese Mainland and the international community, anchored by its irreplaceable role in global finance, professional services, technological innovation and talent flow.
Currently, the GBA's total population exceeds 87 million; regional GDP reached RMB 14.8 trillion in 2024. Occupying less than 0.6% of the total national land area, the GBA creates approximately one-ninth of the country’s total economic output. Over the past six years, the milestones achieved have attracted worldwide attention, with the economy surpassing those of the New York and San Francisco Bay areas. As the region’s development enters a new stage, there is a need to enhance factor mobility further.
Over the past year, members of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) GBA Working Group engaged in various forms of exchange with GBA cities through a range of activities. These included visiting Mainland GBA cities, conducting thematic research and receiving delegations from local government departments and business organizations. These efforts aimed to deepen understanding of current developments in the GBA, as well as the business community’s expectations for strengthening connectivity between Hong Kong and GBA cities.
The Working Group believes that the “15th Five-Year Plan,” set to be implemented in March 2026, will provide new incentives and policy momentum that will accelerate market integration in the GBA. Strengthening connectivity between GBA cities will facilitate the convenience and efficiency of cross-border operations between Hong Kong and the Mainland. This dovetails with the consolidation and enhancement of Hong Kong’s “eight centres” and the city’s important role in the GBA development.
The Working Group has consistently sought to collect the views of members and the business community on how Hong Kong and Mainland GBA cities can enhance cross-border flows of people, logistics and data, and apply the results of scientific research and industrial cooperation. The following opinions and suggestions have been consolidated as a reference for the HKSAR Government.
1. Enhancing the Logistics Network’s Quality and Efficiency
Currently, the cost of cross-border logistics between Hong Kong and the Mainland remains high. The Chamber suggests that relevant authorities further optimize infrastructure like port inspection facilities, enhance connectivity, and actively promote the development of basic electronic port platforms, electronic port application systems and port logistics information platforms. Furthermore, encouraging innovation in port clearance approaches, streamlining clearance processes, and simplifying clearance procedures will also go a long way.
At the same time, the Chamber suggests planning to build a “GBA Aviation Logistics Hub” in the vicinity of Hong Kong International Airport or the Northern Metropolis and launching a “Next Day Delivery” service under a “Collection in Hong Kong – Distribution in Shenzhen – Delivery to the GBA” model.
Citing Amazon’s global logistics model, we also recommend implementing “one declaration, region-wide clearance” for cross-border e-commerce goods within the GBA, which could reduce logistics costs by 15-20%.
2. Enhancing Port Competitiveness
To address port competition within the GBA, the HKSAR Government should actively seek policy support from the Central Government to coordinate the roles of various ports in the region, integrating them into a GBA United Port System to collaboratively develop a world-class port cluster.
Within this framework, a key suggestion is to position Hong Kong as the GBA’s cold chain logistics hub. This would address existing competition and effectively utilize Hong Kong’s current strengths. Data indicates that the cold chain sector is vital to the Hong Kong port; in 2024, Kwai Tsing Container Terminals handled approximately 572,000 refrigerated containers, representing over 5.5% of total throughput, which shows substantial potential. With advanced cold chain infrastructure, streamlined customs procedures and extensive experience in processing perishable goods, Hong Kong can establish itself as a leader in cold chain logistics within the region, thereby elevating the overall competitiveness of its port.
3. Accelerating the Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Hong Kong Professionals in the GBA
In recent years, the Guangdong Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security has worked with corresponding Hong Kong and Macao authorities to implement the “One Examination, Multiple Certification” System, a new cooperation model for professional certification.
Candidates who pass the relevant assessments will be awarded the Vocational Assessment Competency Certificate of Hong Kong, the Certificate of Occupational Skill Level of Mainland China, and the Occupational Skills Certificate of Macao. This allows more skilled labour in the GBA to leverage their strengths in various fields on a larger platform.
Currently, the “One Examination, Multiple Certification” System covers trades such as electrical workers and restaurant servers, with a total of 4,002 individuals obtaining skills certificates that are recognized in all three cities. However, barriers still exist in the professional services sector.
Nansha District has stated that organizations registered in Hong Kong and Macao, as well as natural persons with Hong Kong or Macao residency who have obtained professional qualifications recognized by the HKSAR Government or relevant industry associations, and who meet the practice requirements for specific fields, can provide professional services in six major fields in Nansha, including construction, urban planning, healthcare, veterinary medicine, education and tourism. Based on this existing foundation, the Chamber suggests further accelerating the recognition of practice qualifications for Hong Kong professionals in the GBA.
4. Promoting the Mobility of Scientific Research Personnel
In recent years, Hong Kong and Mainland GBA cities have actively promoted I&T development and cooperation, as well as close exchanges between scientific research talent. To accelerate the growth of I&T industries in the GBA, it is necessary to eliminate obstacles to talent mobility.
In March last year, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin implemented a policy of “opening up the first line and controlling the second line.” With reference to this model, we suggest establishing a groundbreaking immigration control system in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and in the Northern Metropolis. For example, this could allow Mainland scientific research and technical personnel required for Hong Kong’s industrial development to conveniently enter these zones for work and return the same day via a “commuting mode.”
5. Optimizing Tax Arrangements for Mobility of Personnel in the GBA
The current measure of excluding same-day return trips from the 183-day threshold has greatly increased the flow of top talent in the GBA. We suggest continuously optimizing tax arrangements for cross-border personnel movements in the GBA to boost the region’s high-quality development.
6. Building a Cross-Border Innovation Ecosystem
The Hetao Cooperation Zone has implemented a collaborative model of “conducting basic research in Hong Kong and transforming technology into applications in Shenzhen.” To nurture such partnerships, this model could be expanded to Qianhai and Nansha. Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks could also establish a “GBA Technology Trading Market” to organize regular technology auctions and promote the transfer of patents from Hong Kong universities to GBA enterprises.
Furthermore, drawing on Shenzhen’s experience with an 18-month technology conversion cycle, deploying a “Patent Navigation” mechanism would provide enterprises with technology-matching services, which is expected to increase the conversion rate of scientific research results by over 25%.
7. Promoting “Mutual Recognition of Clinical Data” and Joint Funding
The Chamber suggests establishing a “Guangdong-Hong Kong Biotechnology Joint Funding Scheme” to support infectious disease research and innovative drug development. We also recommend promoting the mutual recognition of clinical trial data between Hong Kong and the Mainland, enabling recognition of clinical data completed in Hong Kong that meets international standards when registering in the Mainland. This would merge the advantages of both sides and allow new products to reach the public more quickly.
8. Deepening Medical Security Cooperation
We recommend expanding the cross-border coverage of Shenzhen’s “Huiminbao” supplementary medical insurance programme. Currently, 17 medical devices are authorized for use in designated GBA healthcare institutions and are covered by the programme, with an annual maximum reimbursement of RMB 500,000. We recommend that the HKSAR Government negotiate with the Guangdong Provincial Healthcare Security Administration to enable Hong Kong residents to join the GBA cross-border medical insurance scheme through “voluntary participation," thereby facilitating “receiving medical treatment in Hong Kong and reimbursement in the Mainland.”
We also recommend extending the direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer service beyond Princess Margaret Hospital and establishing “GBA Referral Centres” in private medical institutions, such as the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital and Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, to ensure standardized medical records and referral procedures.
9. Enhancing Regional Data Connectivity Capabilities
To promote Hong Kong as a regional hub for data connectivity, the HKSAR Government can leverage Hong Kong’s strategic advantages in accessing Mainland data, including consent-based data and non-consent-based data. The focus should be on enhancing the efficiency of cross-border data flows and building a comprehensive data value chain.
Specific suggestions include: avoiding the implementation of data localization requirements and strict cross-border transmission restrictions to promote the development of digital economy and consolidate Hong Kong’s roles as a “Super Connector” and “Super Value-adder”; adopting international security and privacy standards as a voluntary compliance mechanism; and promoting the connection of Hong Kong’s “Commercial Data Interchange” with GBA cities to facilitate the flow of commercial data, such as electronic trade, supply chains, payments and credit records. Additionally, technical and legal research should be conducted to lay the foundation for building a GBA digital trade financing network.
10. Promoting Intellectual Property Trade
To promote the development of intellectual property (IP) trade in the GBA, efforts should be made to establish mutually recognized IP standards within the GBA and an international valuation system, covering patents, trademarks and copyrights, to facilitate cross-border IP commercialization. At the same time, transparent and fair valuation norms should be formulated to promote IP financing and collateralization, encouraging financial institutions to include IP in credit frameworks. This would enable enterprises to use IP as financial collateral, thereby increasing opportunities for innovative enterprises to obtain funding.
Additionally, Hong Kong’s legal infrastructure and bilingual professional talent should be leveraged to enhance IP arbitration and dispute resolution services, providing enterprises with a comprehensive rights protection mechanism. Finally, through cooperation with the Qualifications Framework Secretariat to develop professional training courses, we should cultivate talent in the IP field. These measures will help leverage the advantages of Hong Kong’s IP-intensive industries and enhance the GBA’s overall competitiveness as an I&T hub.
Conclusion
The “15th Five-Year Plan” marks a crucial phase for the GBA, acting as a bridge between the past and the future to further develop into a world-class bay area. By continuously promoting institutional innovation, improving the business environment, accelerating mutual recognition of professional qualifications and sharpening its strengths in logistics, data connectivity and intellectual property trade, Hong Kong is well positioned to attain a higher standing in the regional division of labour. The integrated development of the GBA is not merely economic cooperation, but also the convergence of institutions, culture and innovative forces.
Hong Kong should actively seize this historical opportunity, strengthen its roles as a “Super Connector” and “Super Value-adder” and elevate the GBA into a world-class region while making greater contributions to the nation’s high-quality development and enhancing its global competitiveness.
The Chamber hopes that this submission will serve as a valuable reference for the HKSAR Government in shaping Hong Kong’s future direction and the GBA's development strategy, supporting high-quality development in the region.
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