Connecting with the Greater Bay Area and joining hands for the future. In recent years, Nanjing has actively engaged in economic and trade exchanges with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, accelerated the implementation of innovation achievements, and continuously empowered industrial development, striving to play a greater role in serving the new development paradigm. From February 16 to 17, Mayor Chen Zhichang led a delegation to visit Hong Kong, strengthening strategic alignment, deepening pragmatic cooperation, and jointly exploring development strategies to create a brighter future. Vice Mayor Ji Tiejun participated in related activities.

From the banks of the Yangtze River to the shores of Victoria Harbour, the delegation embraced the spring season with a shared vision.

At the Promotion of Greater Openness in Nanjing Services Sector and Nanjing-Hong Kong Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference, prominent guests from HK high-end commerce, financial services, healthcare, legal services, and value-added telecommunications sectors gathered to review the achievements of Nanjing-Hong Kong cooperation, discuss intentions for deeper collaboration, and envision future development prospects. At the event, the investment environment amid the expanded opening-up of Nanjing's service industry was introduced, and project cooperation agreements were signed.

Chen Zhichang stated that Nanjing and Hong Kong share deep historical ties, close personal connections, and strong emotional bonds. He expressed hope that this event would serve as an opportunity to further strengthen deep integration and close cooperation with Hong Kong, continuing the profound friendship of “Nanjing and Hong Kong as one family” and jointly igniting the surging tide of high-quality development.

Crossing mountains and seas, hearts and hands are connected.

During meetings with Peter Lam Kin-ngok, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Margaret Fong, Executive Director of HKTDC, and Henry Tang Ying-yen, Founding President of the Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Association Organisations, Chen Zhichang expressed gratitude for their care and support for Nanjing's development.

They all agreed that deepening Nanjing-Hong Kong cooperation is both a national necessity and a shared aspiration of the two regions. The two sides pledged to leverage their respective strengths, learn from each other's successful experience, and jointly open a new chapter in their integrated development.

Hong Kong universities have performed exceptionally well in the global QS World University Rankings and possess strong capabilities in transforming scientific and technological achievements, making them a “rich mine” of innovation resources.

Located in Clearwater Bay, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has been committed to promoting technological innovation and achievement commercialization since its establishment. Chen Zhichang visited laboratories and research institutes for observation and had in-depth discussions with HKUST Council Chairman Harry Shum Heung-Yeung and President Nancy Y. IP. Both sides expressed their intention to strengthen the sharing of innovation resources such as technology and talent, deepen scientific and technological cooperation, and jointly build an innovation hub.

At the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Chen Zhichang met with Council Chairman Lam Tai-fai and President Teng Jin-guang, toured key laboratories, and attended the Nanjing (Hong Kong) Innovation Environment Promotion and Exchange Conference. Representatives from universities, research institutions, and enterprises in Nanjing and Hong Kong participated in the event, freely discussing ways to promote Nanjing-Hong Kong innovation cooperation and accelerate the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements. A number of memorandums and deals on cooperation projects were signed on-site.

Chen Zhichang noted that Hong Kong is rich in scientific and technological innovation resources and possesses unique advantages in commercializing scientific achievements and cultivating innovative and entrepreneurial talents. He expressed hope that the two regions would work together to build high-level collaborative innovation platforms, establish efficient achievement commercialization systems, and nurture high-growth leading enterprises in scientific and technological innovation.

New friends engaged in discussions, while old friends deepened cooperation.

At China Tourism Group, Chen Zhichang held in-depth discussions with Chairman Wang Haimin and General Manager Fan Yunjun, expressing hope to continuously deepen cooperation in areas such as duty-free businesses, expand the scale of inbound tourists, and jointly create more high-quality cultural and tourism products for mutual benefit at a higher level.

The IFC, developed in Nanjing by Sun Hung Kai Properties, has gathered international high-end fashion brands and specialty catering brands, becoming a new landmark for urban consumption in Nanjing. Chen Zhichang expressed gratitude to Chairman and Managing Director Raymond Kwok for his care and support for Nanjing's development and looked forward to deepening high-level practical cooperation to jointly create more iconic projects.

During a meeting with Morgan Stanley Securities (China) Chairman Zhang Xin, Chen Zhichang hoped they would introduce more resources and continuously enrich financial products and services, expanding the space for bilateral cooperation.

Shui On Group has successfully developed projects such as INNO Future City and Baiziting Tiandi in Nanjing. Chen Zhichang exchanged views with Shui On Land Limited Vice Chairman Stephanie B. Y. LO on project progress, and both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as urban renewal and jointly promote the accelerated development of projects.

Chen Zhichang introduced Nanjing's development situation to Kerry Group Chairman Beau Kuok, and the two sides held in-depth discussions on increasing investment in Nanjing and supporting the city's construction as an international consumption center.

Chen Zhichang also met with Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, reaching consensus on promoting brand event exchanges and strengthening sports industry cooperation.

During the visit, Vice Mayor Ji Tiejun attended the Nanjing (Hong Kong) Cultural and Tourism Exchange Promotion Conference, visited the University of Hong Kong and the West Kowloon Cultural District, and met with representatives from China Resources Group, CITIC Pacific, the Wharf (Holdings) Limited, Far East Horizon Ltd., Bain Capital, and Tian An China Investments Company Limited.