FS continues visit to Nanjing (with photos/video)
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In the morning, Mr Chan attended a promotion conference on supporting Mainland enterprises in going global, themed "Jiangsu-Hong Kong Partnership: Setting Sail Together". In his address, he said that this year marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Through closer co-operation, Jiangsu and Hong Kong can seize the opportunities arising from the country's pursuit of high-level opening up and translate them into tangible results for enterprises expanding into international markets. He encouraged Jiangsu enterprises to use Hong Kong as a base for their long-term development when planning their global operations.
Mr Chan noted that Jiangsu and Hong Kong enjoy a solid foundation of co-operation. Hong Kong is both Jiangsu's largest source of foreign investment and its largest destination for outward investment. As at the end of September this year, 129 Jiangsu enterprises were listed in Hong Kong, with a combined market capitalisation of about HK$1.44 trillion. He said that the two places have a sound basis for co-operation, with ample scope for further collaboration in innovation-driven development and expansion into international markets.
He said that Hong Kong's strengths extend beyond stock market listings and fundraising to its high concentration of international capital, financial institutions and professional talent. Last year, Hong Kong recorded 119 new listings, raising over HK$280 billion and ranking first globally in initial public offering fundraising. In the first nine months of this year, Hong Kong recorded over 110 new listings, raising more than HK$380 billion, more than double the amount raised in the same period last year. More than 70 of the world's top 100 banks operate in Hong Kong. Enterprises can connect with international investors and partners through Hong Kong, broadening their financing channels to support business development at different stages.
On talent and innovation and technology (I&T), Mr Chan said that Hong Kong's free, open and international environment helps enterprises attract research, engineering and management talent from the Mainland and overseas. Hong Kong has more than 50 international schools offering a diverse range of curricula. Together with its convenient transport network and vibrant lifestyle, these provide a favourable environment for talent and their families to settle and pursue long-term development in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is taking forward the development of the Northern Metropolis and university towns, bringing together quality education and research resources from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas to foster the co-ordinated development of education, technology, talent and industries, and accelerate the commercialisation of research outcomes. He invited Jiangsu enterprises to visit Hong Kong and the Northern Metropolis to explore co-operation opportunities.
Mr Chan also pointed out that, in attracting enterprises and nurturing industries, the HKSAR Government looks not only at the scale of investment, but also at enterprises' technological capabilities, capacity for innovation, and long-term contributions to Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem and talent development. The Government is willing to explore investment co-operation with promising enterprises aligned with Hong Kong's future development priorities, and offer support in areas including land, taxation and other complementary measures. He expressed the hope of building long-term partnerships with Jiangsu enterprises and supporting more Mainland enterprises in becoming multinational corporations with global influence, bringing Chinese technologies, products and solutions to markets around the world.
Mr Chan also had breakfast with a group of young Jiangsu entrepreneurs in the morning, exchanging views on business development and co-operation opportunities between the two places. He also attended a sharing session with Hong Kong business people and enterprises in Jiangsu to learn about their business development in the province.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the National Regional Technology Transfer and Transformation Centre for Higher Education Institutions (Jiangsu) to learn about its work in promoting the transfer and commercialisation of university research outcomes, matching them with enterprises' needs, and fostering industry-academia-research collaboration. Focusing on areas including biomedicine, information and communications, and advanced materials, the centre provides support covering technology research and development, proof of concept and pilot testing. It promotes the deeper integration of technological and industrial innovation, helps nurture emerging and future industries, and advances the integrated development of education, technology and talent.
The delegation subsequently met with officials and representatives of Nanjing's Jiangbei New Area and the centre, as well as representatives of local industries and enterprises. They exchanged views on promoting two-way co-operation between Jiangsu and Hong Kong, and between Nanjing and Hong Kong, as well as establishing more regular mechanisms for I&T collaboration.
At the meeting, Mr Chan proposed strengthening two-way collaboration in three areas to deepen co-operation and deliver more concrete results. First, Jiangsu enterprises can make good use of Hong Kong's financing and treasury management platforms to support their international business expansion. Second, they can leverage Hong Kong's professional services to align with international standards, creating favourable conditions for their products and services to enter overseas markets. Third, enterprises can capitalise on Hong Kong's strengths in international data resources and talent to drive product and service innovation, and better respond to the evolving needs of international markets. He also encouraged the two places to strengthen connections among science and technology parks, universities, enterprises, investment institutions and the professional services sector, facilitate talent exchanges, and bring more promising research projects to fruition.
In the evening, Mr Chan called on the Governor of Jiangsu Province, Mr Liu Xiaotao. They exchanged views on deepening economic and trade co-operation between Jiangsu and Hong Kong, strengthening connections between innovation and industrial resources, and jointly supporting enterprises in expanding into overseas markets. Mr Chan said he looked forward to further broadening co-operation in youth development, talent and cultural exchanges, alongside economic, trade and I&T collaboration, to provide fresh impetus for the long-term partnership between Jiangsu and Hong Kong.
Mr Chan and the delegation will continue their visit to Nanjing tomorrow morning and depart for Hong Kong in the afternoon.
Ends/Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:39
Issued at HKT 18:39
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