HONG KONG – A delegation led by Wu Zhengping, executive director-general of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) Bureau, conducted a three-day promotion session in Hong Kong from Jan 28 to encourage greater participation from the city’s enterprises in the upcoming ninth CIIE.

The working group held meetings with CIIE regular attendees, including delegates from Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Fung Group. Discussions were also held with Lo Kam Wing, president of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, and Jiang Yida, chairman of John Swire & Sons (China) Ltd, to encourage more local businesses to join the expo.

Wu, also chairman of the Board of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), highlighted Hong Kong's unique advantage of having the backing of the motherland while maintaining connectivity with the world.

He said this is an important opportunity for Hong Kong to leverage the CIIE to boost high-quality economic development and better integrate into national development, extending a welcome to more Hong Kong institutions and enterprises to participate in the ninth CIIE by bringing international trade resources, high-quality products, and professional services to the mainland market and beyond.

Officials from Hong Kong institutions said the CIIE sends a resounding call to expand cooperation amid rising unilateralism and protectionism globally. They expressed their hope to introduce more international resources to the mainland and assist mainland enterprises in going global through the CIIE, aiming for two-way connectivity and mutual success.

During the visit, the working group signed exhibition participation memorandums with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Greater China SME Alliance Association.

The delegation also met with Zhang Yong, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR. Work exchanges were held with Zhou Qiang, deputy director-general of the Office's Economic Affairs Department, and Zhang Gang, chief compliance officer of China Resources Group.

The promotion session was hosted by the CIIE Bureau and undertaken by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, a comprehensive partner of the CIIE. Representatives from strategic partner Bank of China also participated in the activities.