China Committee
Zach Denton, Vice Consul (Economic and Financial Policy) and Kathleen Poon, Economic Analyst, the British Consulate-General Hong Kong, visited the Chamber on 24 January to learn about the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and investments there by Hong Kong businesses.
At the meeting, Petrina Tam, Convenor of the GBA Working Group, shared her insights into the opportunities available in key industries in the GBA. The two sides also discussed how Hong Kong can serve as a super-connector for British companies looking to expand in the region.
Jessica Tsai, Director of Guangdong’s Economic and Trade Representative Office in Hong Kong, and former Director Tang Quanlin called on Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung on 25 January.
Tang said Guangdong province ranked among the best in China in terms of investment and trade, especially with the development potential of its three Free Trade Zones, Nansha, Hengqin and Qianhai, in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). He added that the office hoped to actively strengthen cooperation with the Chamber to help members explore business opportunities in the GBA.
Tsai explained that Guangdong is planning six categories of import bases this year including high-end products and automobiles, with sectors such as technological innovation, manufacturing and commerce earmarked for future development.
At the “Digital Economy Opportunities in Fuzhou” seminar on 25 January, Cheng Xueying, Deputy General Director of the Fuzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce, outlined the city’s latest developments in the field. China Committee Vice Chairman Felix Lee and members joined the event, which was organized by the Fuzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce and supported by HKGCC and PwC Hong Kong. Cheng also invited attendees to the 6th Digital China Summit, which will be held in Fuzhou this April.
Li Lirong, Deputy Director, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Shenzhen Municipal Government, met CEO Patrick Yeung at the Chamber on 31 January. The two sides discussed ways to draw on Hong Kong’s international connections to promote cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
The Chamber successfully held its first China National Study Programme at the Bauhinia Academy, Shenzhen Zijing Villa from 31 January -1 February. A total of 25 members joined the programme to learn about the country’s overall development as well as opportunities for growth.
China passed amendments to the country’s Company Law last December, with the changes due to take effect from 1 July this year. The amendments were adopted during the seventh meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress. With companies in the Mainland preparing to revise their articles of incorporation before 1 July to accommodate the changes, Yan Mingcheng, Partner, Zhong Lun Law Firm LLP, shared his expertise on the subject during a seminar on 2 February.
Zhang Jinsong, Director General of Guangdong’s Department of Commerce, gave an introduction to the latest economic situation and related policies at the “Guangdong Seminar” on 20 February. Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung, Convenor of the GBA Working Group Petrina Tam, representatives of international chambers and members attended the event, which was organized by the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province and supported by HKGCC.
GBA Working Group
At the GBA Working Group meeting on 7 February, the latest developments in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and market opportunities in the region were the subject of an informative presentation by Dr Jackie Yan, Manager, Research, PricewaterhouseCoopers China Holding Ltd. Guangdong became the first province to surpass RMB 13 trillion in gross domestic product, and its GDP has ranked first in China for 35 consecutive years. Members also shared their observations and insights on recent development trends in the GBA. During the meeting, Petrina Tam was re-elected as the Convenor of the Group.