HK and SZ Business Leaders Forge Ahead in I&T and New Industrialisation

FHKI’s “GBA iForum cum Dinner 2025” Con Concludes with Resounding

 

 

　　The prestigious “GBA iForum cum Dinner 2025”, co-organised by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI), alongside the Pearl River Delta Council (PRD Council) under FHKI, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), convened with great anticipation today (10 Jan) in Shenzhen. This event marked the kickoff of a series of celebrations for the 65th anniversary of FHKI. Themed "Forging the Future Together: Shenzhen and Hong Kong's Collaborative Efforts towards Technological Innovation and New Quality Production”, this year's function was honoured by the presence of John Lee, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR and Meng Fanli, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Guangdong Provincial Committee and the Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee as Guests-of-Honour. The exchange meeting brought together nearly a thousand elite members from the governmental, industrial, academic, research, and investment sectors of both Guangdong and Hong Kong. They shared and discussed new development opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, while uniting forces from all sectors to advance innovation and technology, new industrialisation, and the development of new quality productive forces in Hong Kong and the GBA.

 

　　During his speech, FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang remarked that the collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen stands as a quintessential model of reform and opening up, consistently evolving through innovation and practical application, thereby establishing itself as a foundational pillar for the GBA development. He emphasised, "Currently, as a critical component of the national strategy, the GBA presents unparalleled opportunities for intensifying cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. We are confident that by working collaboratively and capitalising on our distinct advantages, Hong Kong and Shenzhen can achieve mutual success in the development of the GBA, thereby providing a significant impetus to national development and the global economy."

 

　　In his address as the Guest-of-Honour, Chief Executive John Lee highlighted that we are currently amidst a century-defining transformation, spearheading a technological revolution and witnessing rapid industrial changes. He urged the Hong Kong business sector to continuously innovate and embrace reform. "Hong Kong's entrepreneurs and business professionals have long been known for their competitive spirit and boldness. I encourage each of you to proactively adapt and seek changes, to fully leverage the opportunities arising from our nation's deeper reforms and broader opening up, to promote industrial upgrading and transformation, and to pursue high-quality development," he stated. He also encouraged Hong Kong and global businesses to fully utilise the new preferential benefits under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), thereby facilitating the inflow of capital and talent and supporting Mainland enterprises to “go global”.

 

　　Meng Fanli, Vice Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, stated that looking forward to the new year and aiming to enhance the high-quality development of the GBA, Shenzhen will persist in learning from the invaluable experience of Hong Kong. He emphasised, "Shenzhen must continue to diligently learn from Hong Kong, our 'big brother’. Shenzhen is committed to actively seeking insights from governments, enterprises, and institutions across all sectors. We are dedicated to facilitating the utmost convenience to promote bilateral exchanges and deepen cooperation between the enterprises and residents of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. We will proactively pursue a win-win development through more comprehensive, in-depth, and robust cooperation.”

 

　　This year marks the 65th anniversary of the FHKI. The “GBA iForum cum Dinner 2025” serves as the inaugural event in a series of celebratory activities. A host of guests and FHKI leadership participated in a lighting ceremony and a toast on stage.

 

　　HKPC Chairman Hon Sunny Tan highlighted the synergistic potential between the two regions, which he believes will significantly enhance the development of new quality productive forces. "As the GBA continues to evolve, the prospects for collaboration in technological innovation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong are substantial. I am confident that Shenzhen’s industrial prowess coupled with Hong Kong's international strengths will synergise effectively, catalysing the integration of industry, academia, and research across both cities and the broader GBA. This synergy will undoubtedly catalyse the emergence of new quality productive forces," he stated.

 

　　ASTRI Chairman Ir Sunny Lee further elaborated, "In this era of swift transformation, the emergence of new quality productive forces represents a shared opportunity for our industries. Looking ahead, we will continue to collaborate with enterprises in the GBA to promote synergistic development across government, industry, academia, and research, thereby facilitating the transformation of R&D outcomes. This integrated approach will inject fresh momentum into the economic development of the region."

 

　　FHKI Deputy Chairman and PRD Council Chairman Wallace Wong pointed out that the exchange meeting provides a platform for the GBA business community to engage deeply, foster co-operation, and seize new opportunities. “Global technological innovations and industrial transformations present unprecedented opportunities for Hong Kong and Shenzhen,' he explained. 'Guided by the strategic vision of the GBA, the collaborative efforts between these two cities unlock vast potential, paving the way for limitless possibilities.”

 

　　During the dinner banquet, FHKI signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with eight distinguished institutions and enterprises. These agreements aim to bolster trade cooperation and facilitate the establishment of business operations in Hong Kong. The agreements were signed with a variety of entities, listed in no particular order: Shenzhen Guangming District People’s Government; Tencent Youth Development Committee; J Cube Semiconductor (Hong Kong) Limited; China CITIC Bank International Limited; ShenZhen SmartCity E Cloud Technology Limited; Ficus Technology Holdings Ltd; Shenzhen Agriculture and Food Investment Holdings Group Co Ltd; GoGBA Business Support Centre (Futian).

 

　　Additionally, the event featured three panel discussion sessions focused on the following topics: “The Role of Hong Kong's I&T Development Blueprint within the Bay Area and Mainland China”, “Opportunities for Developing New Quality Productive Forces in the GBA Amidst Changing Global Dynamics”, and “Sharing of Best Practices”. Government officials, institutional leaders, corporate representatives from both regions, and scholars were invited to participate in discussions and share their insights, with the objective of fostering a cross-sectoral communication platform for the GBA. In addition, an exhibition highlighted innovative technologies and new quality productive forces, showcasing the R&D accomplishments of participating institutions.

 

　　As the premier annual event for the business community, the PRD Council has been hosting this distinguished gathering since 2002, drawing over a thousand business leaders from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau each year. Representatives from a myriad of sectors come together to engage in in-depth discussions about enhancing high-quality collaboration within the GBA, marking this as a profoundly significant occasion.

 

　　The triumph of the "GBA iForum cum Dinner 2025" was achieved through the invaluable support provided by the Shenzhen People’s Government Hong Kong and Macau Affairs office, Investment Promotion Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong, our exclusive financial institution sponsor China CITIC Bank International Limited, and the collective efforts of all co-organising and supporting organisations. FHKI extends our heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation for the exceptional support received.

 

Picture 1: FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang delivered a speech at the GBA iForum.

 

Picture 2: Chief Executive John Lee delivered a speech as Guest-of-Honour of the dinner.

 

Picture 3: Meng Fanli, Vice Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee delivered a speech at the dinner.

 

Picture 4: Zhang Jinzhou, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government graced the forum as the Guest-of-Honour and delivered a speech.

 

Picture 5: Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry shared his views as the keynote speaker.

 

Picture 6: FHKI leadership and representatives from organising parties posed photo with guests.

 

Picture 7: Huang Xiaoyu, Deputy Director-General of Investment Promotion Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, spoke at the forum.

 

Picture 8: (From left to right) FHKI Deputy Chairman cum PRD Council Chairman Wallace Wong; Li Pui-leung, PRD Council Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of the TK Group (Holdings) Limited; Eric Xie, President, SmartMore Corporation; Shao Yuan, Vice General Manager of Shenzhen Smart City Group (Shenzhen Urban Transport Planning Center Co., Ltd.), and Chairman of SUTPC Digital Technology (Hong Kong) Limited; and Lv Ji Wei, Vice President, Electronic Business Group, EVA Precision Industrial Holdings Limited, exchanged their views during the forum.

 

Picture 9: (From left to right) FHKI Executive Deputy Chairman Anthony Lam; Ir Raymond Shan, General Manager of New Industrialisation Division cum Head of New Industrialisation Development Center of HKPC; Dr Ying Huang, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Office of ASTRI; together with Tristan Zhuo, Chief Economist of China CITIC Bank International Limited; and Dr Jianping Wang, Dean of College of Computing, City University of Hong Kong, shared their experience on multi-party collaboration among “industry, academia, research and investment”.

 

Picture 10: FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang interviewed by the media.

 

Picture 11: The GBA iForum was a grand and impressive gathering.

 

Picture 12: Chief Executive John Lee visited the innovation and technology exhibition.

 

Picture 13: Representatives of FHKI, PRD Council, HKPC and ASTRI gave a unique joint speech during the dinner.

 

Picture 14: FHKI leadership, representatives of organising parties, honourable guests and sponsors presided over the dinner launching ceremony.

 

Picture 15: At the gala dinner, Chief Executive John Lee and FHKI leadership raised a toast on stage with guests.

 

Picture 16: FHKI signed MoU with Shenzhen Guangming District People’s Government.

 

Picture 17: FHKI signed MoU with Tencent Youth Development Committee.

 

Picture 18: FHKI signed MoU with J Cube Semiconductor (Hong Kong) Limited.

 

 Picture 19: FHKI signed MoU with China CITIC Bank International Limited.

 

Picture 20: FHKI signed MoUs with ShenZhen SmartCity E Cloud Technology Limited and Ficus Technology Holdings Ltd.

 

Picture 21: FHKI signed MoUs with Shenzhen Agriculture and Food Investment Holdings Group Co Ltd and GoGBA Business Support Centre (Futian).

 

Picture 22: The gala dinner hosted nearly a thousand guests showcasing a remarkable spectacle.

 

*Please visit here for higher resolution pictures.

 

Media Enquiries

Tel：2732 3107 / 2732 3156 / 2732 3145
Email：media@fhki.org.hk