On September 10, a press conference for the 27th  Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium and Investment in Hong Kong Promotion Conference was held in Beijing. Sun Yao, Director of the Beijing Investment Promotion Service Center, introduced the overall situation and key features of the event. Representatives from five co-organizers, including the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park, Beijing Overseas Friendship Association, and Haidian District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality and Fengtai District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, answered questions from the media regarding the event’s highlights and key activities.

The symposium and conference will take place from September 20 to 21, 2024, with the main venue at the Zhongguancun International Innovation Center in Beijing. Under the theme “Leverage Complementary Advantages For Shared Prosperity,” the event aims to bring into full play the complementary strengths of both cities in geographic location and resource endowment, focusing on key industries such as finance, technology, trade logistics, professional services, consumer markets, and cultural tourism, presenting new scenarios, new ecology and new opportunities for cooperation and development between the two cities. Compared to previous years, this year’s event highlights four key aspects:

First, a dedicated “Invest in Hong Kong” themed promotion will be featured for the first time, including keynote speeches and presentations on Hong Kong’s unique advantages, business environment, and initiatives supporting cooperation between enterprises from both cities. Additionally, the theme of “Invest in Hong Kong” will be integrated into specialized sessions on finance, technological innovation, and trade logistics.

Second, the number of special events are added to further expand cooperation areas. Building on the 14 specialized activities held last year, this year’s event arrangement and special design will highlight complementary advantages. By holding 15 special promotion activities, more high-quality resources will be attracted to gather in Beijing and Hong Kong, and exchanges and cooperation between the two places will be advanced in a wider field, at a higher level and with higher quality.

Third, more efforts will be channeled into the pre-planning of results. The event is expected to showcase a series of significant cooperation achievements between Beijing and Hong Kong. Major projects will be signed, and based on the current collection of projects, 170 bilateral investment and business promotion projects are set to be announced, with a total investment of 42 billion RMB. These projects span four major categories: spatial resources, corporate financing, technological cooperation, and enterprises’ going global drive. Additionally, various cooperation agreements will be signed between financial, business, and cultural tourism departments from both regions.

Fourth, interaction and engagement will be enhanced. The event will feature a variety of activities, including introductions to policy and business environment, discussions, investment and financing networking, project roadshows, and site visits. It will broadly invite relevant government departments from both regions, prominent figures from Hong Kong’s business community, representatives of multinational corporations, Chinese enterprises and institutions based in Hong Kong, as well as leaders from large state-owned enterprises, municipal state-owned enterprises, headquarters companies, unicorn companies, and specialized, sophisticated, distinctive, and innovative SMEs (“little giants”) in Beijing. Additionally, principals of international chambers of commerce, domestic and foreign investment promotion and trade organizations will participate. The event will focus on key development topics of interest to both regions, fostering in-depth discussions and exchanges, and envisioning new opportunities for cooperation.