Hong Kong: HK tops region in financial services, logistics and tourism

Hong Kong has topped the 11-city Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in financial services, trade and logistics, as well as culture, sports and tourism sectors.

According to the Greater Bay Area Industry Development Index 2024 released on Nov 5 by think tank Our Hong Kong Foundation and Dah Sing Bank, the city’s financial sector scored 82.6 out of 100 points on the strength of its business environment, workforce, and policies linking it to international and Chinese-mainland markets.

The trade and logistics industry attained 83 points because of its extensive international network, efficient aerial logistics capabilities and advantage in international trade arbitration, while the culture, sports and tourism sector gained 79.4 points for the protection of the city’s intangible cultural heritage and the hosting of large-scale events.

Macao: Nation’s homegrown aircraft, C919, makes first visit to SAR  

The nation’s first domestically produced large passenger aircraft, C919, made its debut in Macao at the 13th Macao Business Aviation Exhibition, held from Nov 8 to 11.

The aircraft landed at Macao International Airport on Nov 7 and was greeted with a water salute — the highest level of civil aviation honor.

Air China described the plane’s first visit to the Macao Special Administrative Region as a “special gift” to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland.

Guangzhou: Business conference draws investments worth $31m

The 2024 Global Investment Promotion Conference for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, held in Guangzhou on Nov 8, saw contracts for 1,933 projects being signed, with total investments of 2.26 trillion yuan ($313.5 billion).

A list showcasing the top 100 foreign-invested enterprises in Guangdong province was unveiled. The listed companies invested a total of $36.6 billion into the province, with each investing more than $100 million.

Shenzhen: Forum boosts economic links between GBA and ASEAN

The 2024 ASEAN-China GBA Economic Cooperation (Qianhai) Forum wrapped up on Nov 14 in Qianhai — a cooperation zone for Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

With the theme “Technological Leadership, Industrial Synergy”, the three-day forum included thematic discussions, networking sessions, and a culture and food event designed to strengthen ties between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Enterprises and chambers of commerce from both sides signed cooperation agreements on 15 projects, with a total contract value of nearly 30 billion yuan ($4.14 billion).

Zhuhai: Aviation expo sees increase in participants, diverse exhibits

The six-day 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition kicked off in Zhuhai on Nov 12.

This year’s show involves 1,022 exhibitors from 47 countries and regions — a 38 percent increase from the previous edition. The number of international exhibitors has more than doubled, with delegations from Russia, France, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Italy displaying their products.

Besides air shows, the event features both military and commercial aircraft, including the public debut of the Chinese Navy’s J-15D and J-15T fighter jets.

There is a new pavilion for the low-altitude economy, with a Guangdong-based company showcasing its flying car’s manned flight.

Foshan: Martial art practitioners gathering for competition

Practitioners of the traditional Chinese martial art Wing Chun from all over the world will converge on Foshan for the 2024 International Wing Chun Competition starting on Dec 12.

Unified rules and routines have been set this year for the first time to provide a foundation for the standardization of the competition.

Organized by the International Wushu Federation and the Wushu Administrative Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the event will have five main categories — Wing Chun routines, Chi Sao (sticky hands), power skill (including engaging information technology enhanced Mok Yan Jong or wooden dummy form), Wing Chun combat, and the individual all-around competition.

Huizhou: Third Talent Week offers career opportunities to professionals  

The third Huizhou Talent Week, which officially started on Nov 11, is offering academicians, entrepreneurs, corporation executives and professionals a chance to explore opportunities to pursue their careers in the city.

Various activities will be held during the event, including a satellite activity at the Hong Kong Science Park on Nov 25, which serves as a platform for innovation and technology professionals from Hong Kong and Huizhou.

Dongguan: Bank issues I&T-themed bonds to support firms in the sector

Bank of Dongguan has issued innovation and technology-themed bonds, raising about 4 billion yuan ($552.27 million), setting a new model for the issuance of financial bonds in the city, and helping to explore new channels for applying financial services in the I&T sector.

The bonds fall under the general financial bonds category with a specific theme, allowing the issuer to clearly define the use of funds, demonstrating precise support for specialized fields. With a maturity period of three years and a coupon rate of 2.3 percent, the overall subscription rate was 1.84 times, indicating the bond’s high market acceptance.

Zhongshan: City deepens investment ties with Yangtze River Delta region

Following the 2024 Zhongshan Business Environment Promotion Conference held in Shanghai on Nov 5, Zhongshan is seeking to cooperate with investors in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Zhongshan institutions and companies signed contracts for 17 projects with their Shanghai counterparts at the conference, covering sectors like new energy, new materials, biomedicine and the low-altitude economy, as well as modern service projects to provide strong support for the manufacturing industry.

Jiangmen: Research, manufacturing base for motorbikes is in the making

A motorcycle company is investing 1 billion yuan ($139 million) in Jiangmen to set up a research and manufacturing base in two phases.

The facility is expected to have an annual output of 1 billion yuan once it reaches full operation. Covering a five-hectare site, the project aims to produce 200,000 motorcycles and 400,000 engines annually in its first phase. The second phase will be used for the manufacturing of motorbike parts.

The motorcycle industry is an important part of Jiangmen’s economy, ranking among the city’s 15 major industrial chains. Two of the country’s top 10 motorcycle exporters last year were from Jiangmen.

Zhaoqing: Integrated European-standard charging station starts service

A comprehensive charging station that meets European standards and combines multiple functions, such as photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, ultrafast charging and battery swapping, began operations in Zhaoqing on Nov 7.

Located near the popular Seven Star Rocks tourist attraction, the station is equipped with two 600-kilowatt supercharging piles, one European standard pile that can serve Hong Kong and Macao vehicles, and a 600kW power exchange station.

Ride-hailing vehicles, taxis and private electric vehicles can be fully charged in 10 minutes or have their batteries swapped in three minutes.