15th Five-Year Plan opens new opportunities for Jiangsu and Hong Kong Cooperation

The recently concluded National "two sessions" set out a blueprint for China's development during the 15th Five-Year Plan. The Plan emphasized consolidating Hong Kong's and Macao's competitive advantages and better integrating them into the country's overall development, providing clear guidance for Jiangsu–Hong Kong cooperation.

The opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan brings new opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises. To facilitate their engagement, the Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organizations and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council jointly organized the "New Development in Jiangsu, New Opportunities for Hong Kong" Forum in Hong Kong on March 16. Representatives from Hong Kong enterprises actively explored ways to elevate Jiangsu–Hong Kong cooperation to a higher level.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Yao Maolong, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and president of the Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organizations, noted that as a major economic province, Jiangsu has the mission to be a "national pacesetter" during 15th Five-Year Plan. Jiangsu's strength in manufacturing complements Hong Kong's advantages in research, finance, and innovation, offering broad prospects for cooperation. Mr. Yao affirmed that the Federation will continue to serve as a bridge, promoting precise alignment and deep integration of resources between Jiangsu and Hong Kong.

Yao Maolong, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and president of the Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organizations

Mr. Zhong Yongxi, Hong Kong Trade Development Council's chief representative for the Chinese mainland and vice president of the Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organizations, highlighted that Jiangsu's 15th Five-Year Plan aims to build a "prosperous, beautiful and culturally advanced Jiangsu." He noted that in the future, the integration of products, services, technology, and intellectual property will create many new business scenarios and experiences. As an important gateway, Hong Kong has great potential to play a key role, and he encouraged enterprises to collaborate in seizing these new opportunities.

Zhong Yongxi, Hong Kong Trade Development Council's chief representative for the Chinese mainland and vice president of the Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organizations

During the discussion session, 22 representatives from Hong Kong enterprises across technology, healthcare, shipping, finance, consumer goods, and professional services shared their perspectives on cooperation opportunities with Jiangsu. They outlined future business strategies, including Jiangsu–Hong Kong AI and biopharmaceutical cooperations to expand into Southeast Asia, biopharmaceutical incubators co-founded by Jiangsu hospitals and Hong Kong universities, enhancing Hong Kong's shipping and trade functions, Hong Kong jewelry brand upgrades, cross-border e-commerce for health supplements, and Hong Kong financial and professional services supporting Jiangsu enterprises overseas.

The Federation of HK Jiangsu Community Organizations and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council responded to concerns and offered guidance on specific issues raised. Looking ahead, they aim to strengthen Jiangsu–Hong Kong cooperation and foster more new stories of collaboration during the 15th Five-Year Plan.