Innovative Hong Kong draws crowds

Held in Guangzhou by Mainland Chinese authorities from 24-26 September, the expo promoted international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative launched by China.

The event attracted more than 700,000 online and offline visits, generating intended transactions of nearly Rmb4.9 billion (US$760 million), a 26% surge from last year.

Featuring more than 1,200 exhibitors from 64 countries and regions, the expo included exhibition areas for international displays, as well as four specialised exhibition areas for artificial intelligence, the digital economy, Silk Road e-commerce and food imports.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Pavilion took “a quantum leap" as its design concept and used innovative materials to show prospects for cooperation between Hong Kong and mainland enterprises in services industries such as finance, professional services, and green technology. The pavilion showcased 15 Hong Kong companies, displaying 19 uniquely designed eco, healthcare and lifestyle products, among them award winners.

"The HKTDC has been taking part in the expo for many years, hoping to promote high-quality Hong Kong products and services,” said Mandy Ng, the HKTDC’s Regional Director for Southern China.

“We hope that participants from countries along the Belt and Road will gain a better understanding of Hong Kong’s advantages. Especially in the fields of professional services such as finance, logistics, and design."

At the main forum on the expo opening day, several Chinese officials spoke on international cooperation.

Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, peoples of different cultures had been seeking common ground, conducting exchanges and learning from each other. He looked forward to a further strengthening of international cooperation under the initiative.

Lu Pengqi, Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), said that countries along the Belt and Road had been helping each other overcome difficulties in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, making important contributions to the global economic recovery. The CCPIT looked forward to working with all parties to jointly develop the Belt and Road, he said.

Guangzhou Mayor Wen Guohui said his city was the birthplace of China's ancient Maritime Silk Road and had close contacts with Belt and Road countries and regions. Guangzhou would strengthen friendly exchanges with these economies and join hands with them to develop digital, technological, health and green industries on the Belt and Road.