A delegation comprising members of Hong Kong’s consular corps and business communities embarked on a trip through the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on June 3, with their first destination being Shenzhen, a city renowned for its technological advancements and innovation ecosystems.
The delegation’s itinerary in Shenzhen included visits to the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, and the Shenzhen branch of the Hong Kong Science Park.
During their visit, delegation members engaged in discussions with representatives from several technology companies, gaining firsthand exposure to cutting-edge developments and fostering potential synergies between Hong Kong’s business acumen and Shenzhen’s tech prowess.
Iñaki Amate, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, believes that this tour takes place at a crucial time. According to him, as global tensions rise and some powers move to divide the world into separate spheres, collaboration — not fragmentation — is the only path forward.
“The world needs to discover the GBA. What we saw today is an eye opener, and I live just across the border. The combination of cutting-edge businesses with a very livable city environment should be a clear proposition to attract talent, companies, and investors,” Amate said.
Having worked in Guangdong for years, Brian Davidson, British consul general in Hong Kong, is impressed by the scale of progress and development in Shenzhen over the last 15 years.
“So coming across the border, one is forced to reconsider preconceived notions of Shenzhen and the GBA. Witnessing the dynamism here, particularly the collaborative spirit between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in zones such as Hetao and Qianhai, it’s clear that this partnership aims to project its innovations and initiatives onto the global stage,” Davidson said.
Naser S A SH Alghanim, Kuwait’s consul general in Hong Kong, was clearly captivated by Insta360’s cameras on display. He eagerly passed his business card to the company’s representative and warmly welcomed the firm to expand into the Middle East market.
“Those are very advanced cameras with impressive new technology,” he remarked. “This is exactly the kind of technology that should be introduced more broadly to the Middle East.”
Mojalefa Mogono, South Africa’s consul general in Hong Kong, stated, “I love Shenzhen. It’s a dynamic, innovative city, a hidden gem in terms of technology. I’m looking forward to seeing even more innovative companies emerge and showcase what Shenzhen is all about.”
The delegation will visit Guangzhou and Zhuhai from today to June 6.