Inside China

The sharp rise in business activity after the Hong Kong-Mainland China borders reopened has brightened exporter sentiment in Hong Kong and moved the mainland economy into top spot for trade prospects.

As the Belt and Road Initiative reaches its 10th anniversary the international intermodal railway – the China-Laos Express connecting Chengdu, Chongqing and Vientiane, the capital of Laos – has gone into operation, greatly improving the flow of people and logistics between Mainland China and Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) members, and has also led more and more mainland companies to choose to expand their business to Southeast Asia.

Mainland China presents massive domestic sales opportunities. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) led Hong Kong companies to participate in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai last year and helped Hong Kong companies find partners to introduce organic and healthy foods from countries along the Belt and Road to the mainland market.

Links between China and the Arabian Peninsula date back centuries – the Aladdin legend reputedly originated in China and marine trade with and through Arabia long predated links with Europe – so it is no surprise that Hong Kong reached out to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates after travel restrictions ended.

Sweet, bright red cherries are a feast for the eyes and palate during Chinese New Year festivities. But the fruiting time – early to mid-summer – is too late for sourcing from Asian or European orchards.

The fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE), hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, ran at the Shanghai National Convention and Exhibition Center from 5 to 10 November, with a significant Hong Kong presence.