On March 17, the Dongguan-Hong Kong Industrial Cooperation Exchange Conference took place in Hong Kong, bringing together around 300 representatives from government agencies, central enterprises based in Hong Kong, leading financial groups, research institutions, top businesses, and trade associations. The event proved highly fruitful, resulting in 33 signed agreements with a total investment and trade cooperation value of 18.47 billion RMB.
Perfect partners
With a legacy of deep economic ties, Dongguan and Hong Kong are a perfect match for industrial collaboration. From the early days of Hong Kong's factories setting up in Dongguan to today's high-tech partnerships, the relationship has evolved from a "front shop, back factory" model to a "front-end research, back-end manufacturing" ecosystem.
One standout example is OPPO's partnership with Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which has led to breakthroughs in AI imaging technology. The Find X8 series' AI-powered telephoto algorithm is a testament to this synergy between Hong Kong's research strengths and Dongguan's manufacturing capabilities. Similarly, the City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan), which opened just six months ago, has already contributed to technological advancements, including an innovative nanotechnology-based antifouling coating for ships, developed by a Hong Kong-led team.
This strong industrial collaboration has attracted 8,102 Hong Kong-invested enterprises to Dongguan, with a cumulative investment exceeding $48 billion. The city's logistics connectivity is another advantage—the Dongguan-Hong Kong International Airport Logistics Park, launched in April 2023, has streamlined cross-border trade, reducing the time from factory to aircraft cabin to just 15 hours.
A city of new opportunities
Dongguan's rise as a high-tech and advanced manufacturing hub makes it an ideal destination for Hong Kong's research, services, and capital. The city has built a robust "8+8+4" modern industrial system, including trillion-yuan electronics and high-end equipment clusters. It is also investing in cutting-edge research platforms, with 2,458 engineering research centers and key laboratories, as well as emerging industrial pilot testing bases that provide Hong Kong businesses with a strong foundation for commercialization.
Moreover, Hong Kong's professional services sector has vast opportunities in Dongguan. The city is undergoing a major manufacturing transformation, requiring expertise in productivity enhancement, industrial design, financial services, and logistics. To support this, Dongguan and the Hong Kong Productivity Council have jointly launched the "Tech100+ Empowerment Plan" to help manufacturers integrate Hong Kong's industrial innovation expertise.
Dongguan's ongoing urban renewal and infrastructure expansion also create new investment opportunities, from smart city technologies to real estate and service industries.
A stable and business-friendly environment
With a commitment to continuous business environment improvement, Dongguan is developing high-quality industrial zones, such as Binhaiwan New Area, Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone, and the Dongguan International Business District, providing customized platforms for Hong Kong enterprises. The city is also accelerating industrial park upgrades, offering companies a seamless blend of industrial and urban development.
To strengthen financial support, Dongguan has established a 200-billion-yuan industrial development fund, including a 5-billion-yuan AI investment pool to foster tech-driven growth. Meanwhile, its talent pool of 3.28 million professionals, including 20,000 high-level talents and 5 million skilled industrial workers, ensures businesses have access to a highly capable workforce.
Hong Kong businesses also benefit from Dongguan's comprehensive one-stop services, including dedicated business service specialists and the "Cross-Border E-Government" initiative, which allows companies to handle tax, social security, and other key processes directly from Hong Kong. The city is further enhancing public services, with international schools, top-tier hospitals, and housing projects to ensure Hong Kong professionals feel at home.
Since China's first-ever "Three-plus-one" trading-mix enterprise was established in Dongguan in 1978, the city has remained at the heart of Dongguan-Hong Kong industrial cooperation. Now, as the Greater Bay Area continues to evolve, new technological revolutions and industrial transformations present unprecedented opportunities for both cities.
Dongguan welcomes Hong Kong enterprises to join its advanced manufacturing ecosystem, integrate Hong Kong's financial and technological strengths, and work together to lead the AI and robotics industries. By expanding trade, fostering deeper industry connections, and introducing world-class service standards, Dongguan and Hong Kong can build a globally competitive industrial powerhouse.
For Hong Kong businesses, Dongguan isn't just an investment destination, it's a second home.
