The Chamber’s mission to Shenzhen, Zhongshan and Jiangmen on 18-19 July was truly inspiring. The 35-member delegation, led by China Committee Chairman Felix Lee and GBA Working Group Convenor Petrina Tam, explored the various business opportunities brought by the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge.
The cross-sea link opened on 30 June after seven years of construction and has reduced travel time between the two cities from two hours to 30 minutes. The infrastructure project, consisting of bridges, an eight-lane sea tunnel and artificial islands, symbolizes innovation and collaboration and contributes to the further development of the GBA.
At a seminar on the first day of the mission, Guo Wenhai, Secretary of the CPC Zhongshan Municipal Committee, introduced Zhongshan’s economic development and industrial infrastructure. He said priority was being given to developing modern services like pharmaceutical and healthcare, financial services and high-end senior care.
Li Changchun, a Standing Committee Member of CPC Zhongshan Municipal Committee, welcomed Hong Kong companies and noted that Zhongshan offered many opportunities for investment and businesses wanting to operate there.
The delegation also learnt about the business environment of Bao’an District in a meeting with Gao Zhan, Deputy Chairman of CPPCC Bao’an District Committee, and Chen Xiangchuan, Deputy Director of CPC Bao’an District Committee’s United Front Work Department. The two sides discussed economic and trade cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
“Shenzhen and Zhongshan present promising prospects with comprehensive industrial infrastructure, while Hong Kong can provide diverse and quality professional services to businesses as an international financial hub,” said mission leader Lee. “Further integration between the cities will promote trade and investment in the region by facilitating the sharing of resources and complementary development.”
Members got a glimpse of Zhongshan’s recent advancements at Cuiheng New District’s exhibition hall, and went on a factory tour of plastics manufacturer Hongrita Group, where Managing Director Felix Choi explained the innovative production facilities and digital production processes onsite.
In Jiangmen, the final stop on the trip, Li Handong, Deputy Mayor of Jiangmen, Zhang Lei, Chairman of the Jiangmen Municipal Committee of CPPCC, and Li Xinli, Deputy Director of the United Front Work Department of Jiangmen, explained the city’s various development initiatives and investment opportunities. Zhang pointed out that the Huangmaohai Sea-crossing Channel – due to open at the end of 2024 with a direct link to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge – will significantly reduce travel time between the three cities. He also expressed a desire for further cooperation to tap into HZMB-related development opportunities.
In Jiangmen’s High-Tech Zone, members discovered about the research and development initiatives of long-established Hong Kong manufacturer Johnson Electric (Jiangmen) Ltd, as well as the production processes of advanced equipment like automotive components and electronic drive devices. They also stopped by Xin Bao Tang Biotech Ltd, a historic Chinese brand, where fourth-generation leader Chen Bozhong introduced the company’s history and famous tangerine peel products.
Other sites on the itinerary included APSAT Mobile Satcom Limited, Cuiheng New District Life Science Park, Guangdong Meiweixian Flavoring Foods Co. Ltd, Shenzhen Overseas Chinese High-Tech Venture Park, and the property project Haiyue Tianxi.