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The need to further strengthen regional cooperation with the support of think tanks was the focus of the Liaoning Investment Forum, organized by the Liaoning Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) on 25 April.

Pang Baoguo, Secretary of the Communist Party of Liaoning CCPIT and President of Liaoning CCPIT, said the establishment of the first domestic "RCEP Think Tank" by the Liaoning CCPIT will provide intellectual support for the integration of businesses from both regions into the world's largest free trade mechanism, and jointly explore international markets.

Efforts will be made to promote innovative cooperation and cultural exchanges, drive technological and industrial innovation, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as culture, education, and tourism, and continuously enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two regions. During the forum, three key zones were promoted: the Shenfu Reform and Innovation Demonstration Zone, the Dalian Changxing Island Economic and Technological Development Zone, and the Shenyang Area of the China (Liaoning) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

The “Qingdao-Hong Kong Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion” conference was held on 25 April in Hong Kong. Meng Qingbin, Chairman of the Qingdao Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said the foundation for cooperation between the two economies is solid, with enormous potential for growth. He hoped that Hong Kong's advantages in international shipping, trade, finance and technology, as well as the platform it provides as a super-connector, could be fully utilized to fulfil Qingdao's needs. He also discussed deepening cooperation in various fields and sectors.

The first meeting of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Business Roundtable Conference was held in Nansha on 25 April. Xie Wei, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Working Committee of the Nansha Development Zone, said Nansha would build six cross-river passages across the Pearl River and add 122 square kilometres of land in the next 15 years. It is also working to provide more than 2 million sq m of industrial space in the next two years to support high-quality development. Representing the Chamber at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the China Committee Felix Lee said Hong Kong has outstanding advantages as an international financial centre.

While connectivity within the GBA is growing, Hong Kong still lacks an in-depth understanding of the region’s incentive policies. In addition, Hong Kong is also facing challenges in industrial transformation and upgrading. To that end, Lee suggested promoting the flow of various innovative elements in the GBA and strengthening the supporting mechanisms for attracting talent in Hong Kong.