On November25-26, over80representatives from the Hong Kong SAR Government embarked on a visit to the mainland cities of the GBA,heading to Foshan,Huangpu and Nansha in Guangzhou,and Dongguan.The group visited the Ancestral Temple,planning exhibition hall, eVTOL demonstrations,and representative enterprises,covering fields such as economy,technology,tourism, culture,and more. 

HK business representatives visited cultural and technological insights

Following the conclusion of the Guangdong-Hong Kong Deepening Economic Trade and Investment Cooperation Conference,the delegation set out to visit the Ancestral Temple and the Lingnan Tiandi in Chancheng District,the heart of Foshan.Lingnan Tiandi is a cultural and historical zone boasting the densest and most extensive collection of cultural relics and the most intact preservation of traditional features,and is also one of the exemplary outcomes of cooperation between the two regions.

Strolling along the stone paths of Lingnan Tiandi,the delegates were captivated by the interplay of refurbished ancient buildings and the exquisitely decorated modern shops within the arcades,offering them a taste of the enduring charm of Lingnan culture and a sense of the robust economic vitality of Foshan. Stanley Yuen,Business Development Director of Shun Tak Holdings Limited,noted that the visit to Lingnan Tiandi demonstrated how Foshan integrates local culture,art,and cuisine into the commercial economy,which Hong Kong can take as a reference.

The group also visited the planning exhibition hall in Huangpu,Guangzhou,where a demonstration of eVTOL was held.The live demonstration of eVTOL flight was conducted in the open space in front of the main entrance of the exhibition hall,showcasing short takeoffs at low altitudes.The representatives were amazed and took photos to capture the moment.

After the lunch meeting in Nansha,Guangzhou,the group visited OPPO in Dongguan,a representative high-tech enterprise.Models of OPPO cell phones were demonstrated to the representatives,and the smart data center also drew much attention and admiration from the group.

Representative shares views on assisting mainland enterprises to reach out to international markets

During the visit,Dr.Felix Lee,Co-CEO of the GBA Healthcare Group and Chairman of the China Committee(2024-25)of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce,expressed,“This exchange provides us with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Greater Bay Area.In the future,we can explore new investment opportunities together,leveraging Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector to help GBA businesses expand into overseas markets.”He expressed optimism about the GBA's future development,noting that the GBA is poised to become a large market with a population of over100million,offering significant growth potential for industries.

Dr.Felix Lee also pointed out the importance of differentiated development and cooperation within the GBA,noting that Hong Kong does not need to reallocate resources in aspects that mainland GBA cities such as Dongguan and Foshan are already excelling at,but rather to leverage its own advantages in facilitating the development of the GBA.He said,“We(Hong Kong)have a lot of valuable experience to assist many mainland enterprises in risk management and in reaching out to international markets,”emphasizing the importance of utilizing the precious advantages of different GBA cities under the different legal systems of one country,two systems,to develop a larger market.

Stanley Yuen reflected on the visit to companies like OPPO and the integration of local culture,art,and cuisine into the commercial economy at Lingnan Tiandi.He stated that the visit covers various areas such as technology,tourism,and commerce,including the latest developments like the low-altitude economy.He believes that learning from these different areas will aid Hong Kong's future development and foster mutual learning.

The delegation,comprising approximately80members with over60representatives from major enterprises,financial institutions,and chambers of commerce in Hong Kong,will continue their visit in the GBA on November27,aiming to foster further cooperation across various fields between Hong Kong and cities within the region.