Coastal Shandong province, rich in agricultural and energy resources, is seeking to boost sustainable development and Hong Kong, which supplies the lion’s share of offshore investment, is eager to supply expertise and funding for green growth.
Jinan, Shandong’s provincial capital, last week hosted the GreenBiz HK Green Business·Hong Kong Construction event, co-sponsored by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce, Office of the Financial Commission of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee and Shandong Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development to facilitate bilateral cooperation on the green economy.
The event aimed to promote the development of green finance, renewable technology and sustainable smart cities by Shandong and Hong Kong.
Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said in his opening speech: “The economic and trade cooperation between Shandong and Hong Kong has always been very close. The two places successfully signed and implemented about 30 key cooperation projects during Shandong Week held in Hong Kong earlier.
"This time, we are very honoured to hold the first GreenBiz HK Green Business • Hong Kong Construction, and Green Low Carbon and Innovative High-Quality Development conferences. This meeting brings together political and business leaders from Shandong and Hong Kong to focus on important issues, such as green finance, greentech and sustainable smart city development, and explore cooperation opportunities between the two places in the field of green development.”
The events attracted more than 700 government and business representatives from Shandong.
Hong Kong delegates at the Low Carbon Conference – including Chiang Tung Keung, Chief Executive of power utility CLP, Augustine Wong, Executive Director of Henderson Land Development, and Angus Wong, Managing Director, Wholesale Client Coverage of Hang Seng Bank – discussed topics, such as ESG, green finance, innovative technology and sustainable smart cities, and encouraged Hong Kong enterprises to develop in Shandong.
Wang Xiaodong, Executive Director of Shandong Hi-Speed Group, discussed his experience in Shandong-Hong Kong cooperation, leveraging the advantages of Hong Kong’s business platform to expand to overseas markets in emerging technology industries and increase investment in sectors, such as environmental protection and new energy.
At the Prospects for Green Finance Cooperation session, Prof Anthony Cheung, Vice Chairman of Friends of the Earth Hong Kong and Convener of Green Finance Affairs, Alice Suen, Head of Sustainable Finance of HSBC Hong Kong Commercial Banking, and Yang Xing, Executive Director of SIIC Environment Holdings discussed Shandong companies’ listing, financing, green bond issuance and ESG business investment in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong delegation also conducted various business visits and exchange activities, connecting enterprises in the two places to explore high-quality development opportunities.
The conference aims to encourage more Mainland China enterprises to make good use of Hong Kong's advantages and strengths, including its capital market, finance, innovation ecosystem and consulting services for green and sustainable investment.
The HKTDC will continue to organise Hong Kong business delegations to different cities to facilitate exchange and cooperation and arrange themed conferences and exchange activities to help mainland companies seize sustainable development opportunities and explore the international market via the Hong Kong platform.
