appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Vivian Au

Mainland Chinese technology and pharmaceutical companies are using Hong Kong as a launching pad for global expansion, industry leaders have said, as a major state-owned drugmaker weighs whether to invest in the city’s Northern Metropolis megaproject.
The comments highlighting the city’s international background and professional expertise were made during a six-day trip to the rest of the Greater Bay Area, which was arranged by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and started on Sunday.
“Hong Kong is stepping up efforts to develop its innovation and technology sector. Its unique blend of Chinese and Western cultures, along with its high degree of internationalisation, gives the city a clear advantage in developing the traditional Chinese medicine industry,” Chen Jiehui, vice-chairman of Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings, said on Monday.
“Through Hong Kong’s international platform, global languages and standards can be leveraged to help traditional Chinese medicine go global … such as Southeast Asian countries which could serve as a prime example of markets expanding internationally via Hong Kong.”

Chen added that his company, a major state-owned pharmaceutical enterprise, was considering investing in the Northern Metropolis and had previously held alignment discussions with relevant parties. He did not reveal details of the possible investment.
The Northern Metropolis megaproject aims to turn 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres) of land near the border with the mainland into a technological and economic hub.
Wang Yuemiao, executive dean of the central research institute of PCI Technology Group, which focuses on artificial intelligence-based products and services, said on the same day that Hong Kong could help mainland enterprises, such as his company, expand globally.
“Hong Kong possesses a mature international business network that can help mainland enterprises engage overseas government agencies, project owners, and industry partners more efficiently, serving as a bridge for businesses to expand abroad,” he said.
He added that the city had a mature system of professional services across law, finance, accounting and intellectual property, which could help enterprises lower institutional costs and risks when entering overseas markets.
Hong Kong could help enterprises adapt and fine-tune technologies and solutions that had already been proven mature on the mainland to align with international standards, he said.

Xue Peng, vice-president of EHang, a company focused on advanced air mobility, also said that the city had strong potential to develop aerial drone transport, starting with cargo delivery.
Hong Kong had numerous islands and could also explore cross-border logistics applications, he added.
Xue suggested that drones could first be tested and applied in designated locations before their usage was progressively expanded to other parts of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has identified the low-altitude economy, including drone logistics, as a strategic area under a smart city development push.
The government earlier established a Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global – or GoGlobal Task Force – to encourage firms across the border to use Hong Kong as a platform for expanding overseas.
The task force is part of Hong Kong’s efforts to better integrate into national development by capitalising on the bay area strategy and the nation’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to improve trade and economic integration across Asia, Europe and Africa.


For China’s hi-tech IPOs, it’s Hong Kong vs the mainland – but how much does it matter?

Hong Kong secures expanded equal treatment and investment guarantees across Asean

Housing prices surge near new Huanggang Port as buyers eye ‘dual-city’ lifestyle

Hong Kong’s first 5-year plan to give firms more long-term certainty: Paul Chan

Hong Kong economy

Chinese tech, pharma firms eye Hong Kong as springboard for global expansion

A general view of Guangzhou. The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office arranged a six-day trip spanning the Greater Bay Area. Photo: Eugene Lee

Chen Jiehui, vice-chairman of Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings, has said his company is considering investing in the Northern Metropolis. Photo: Vivian Au

Xue Peng, vice-president of EHang, has said that Hong Kong has strong potential to develop aerial drone transport, starting with cargo delivery. Photo: Vivian Au

‘Enjoying two worlds at once’: work in Hong Kong, live and play in Greater Bay Area

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

The lower prices in cities such as Guangzhou allow Hongkongers to enjoy the best of both worlds – a career in Hong Kong and leisure on the mainland. Photo: AFP

Former city leader Leung Chun-ying says Hong Kong must pair its strengths in biotech, research and professional services with specific mainland hubs in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Photo: Dickson Lee

More Hongkongers are moving to Guangzhou to access cheaper medical services with shorter waiting times. Photo: Getty Images

Legislator Simon Lee Hoey says Hong Kong must act as a “global gateway and rule connector” for the bay area, helping Chinese innovation meet international standards. Photo: Jelly Tse

The MixC shopping centre in Nansha. For many in Hong Kong, connectivity to the bay area is less about macroeconomics than about cheaper and better lifestyle options. Photo: May Tse

New Hong Kong trade office in Malaysia a bridge to Greater Bay Area: minister

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau at the opening ceremony for the office. Photo: Handout

Yau is in Malaysia as part of a 200-strong delegation, the biggest under Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” flagship campaign. Photo: Handout

According to Hong Kong government data, trade between the city and Malaysia was worth HK$220 billion in 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE

News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

Society

Industry leaders highlight city’s international reach and expertise as state-owned drug maker considers Northern Metropolis project investment


Industry leaders highlight city’s international reach and expertise as state-owned drug maker considers Northern Metropolis project investment.


Chinese tech, pharma firms eye Hong Kong as springboard for global expansion

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Industry leaders highlight city’s international reach and expertise as state-owned drug maker considers Northern Metropolis project investment

Industry leaders highlight city’s international reach and expertise as state-owned drug maker considers Northern Metropolis project investment