Delegation members are briefed on advanced AI solutions by Phantom Future, a Shenzhen-based firm specializing in intelligent interaction technologies. Photos by Zhang Yu
A delegation comprising members of Hong Kong's consular corps and business communities embarked on a trip through the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) today, with their first destination being Shenzhen, a city renowned for its technological advancements and innovation ecosystems.
The delegation's itinerary in Shenzhen included visits to key cooperation zones that underscore the interconnectivity between Hong Kong and the mainland. Among the sites visited were the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone.
Delegation members capture moments at the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone.
Additionally, the group toured the Shenzhen branch of the Hong Kong Science Park, a facility that serves as a bridge for technological exchange and partnership.
During their visit, delegation members engaged in discussions with representatives from several technology companies, gaining firsthand exposure to cutting-edge developments and fostering potential synergies between Hong Kong's business acumen and Shenzhen's tech prowess.
(From L) Iñaki Amate, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Brian Davidson, British consul general to Hong Kong and Mojalefa Mogono, South Africa's consul general to Hong Kong pose for a photo during the trip to Shenzhen yesterday.
Iñaki Amate, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, believes that this tour takes place at a crucial time. According to him, as global tensions rise and some powers move to divide the world into separate spheres, collaboration — not fragmentation — is the only path forward.
"The world needs to discover the GBA. What we saw today is an eye-opener, and I live just across the border. The combination of cutting-edge businesses with a very livable city environment should be a clear proposition to attract talent, companies, and investors," Amate said.
Having worked in Guangdong years ago, Brian Davidson, British consul general to Hong Kong, has been greatly impressed by the scale of progress and development in Shenzhen over the last 15 years.
"So coming across the border, one is forced to reconsider preconceived notions of Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area. Witnessing the dynamism here, particularly the collaborative spirit between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in zones such as Hetao and Qianhai, it's clear that this partnership aims to project its innovations and initiatives onto the global stage," Davidson said.
Naser S A SH Alghanim (C), Kuwait's consul general to Hong Kong, tests out Insta360's latest camera technology during a company visit in Shenzhen.
Naser S A SH Alghanim, Kuwait's consul general to Hong Kong, was clearly captivated by Insta360's cameras during the showcase. He eagerly passed his business card to the company's representative and warmly welcomed them to expand into the Middle East market.
"Those are very advanced cameras with impressive new technology," he remarked. "This is exactly the kind of technology that should be introduced more broadly to the Middle East," Alghanim said.
Mojalefa Mogono, South Africa's consul general to Hong Kong, stated, "I love Shenzhen. It's a dynamic, innovative city, a hidden gem in terms of technology. I'm looking forward to seeing even more innovative companies emerge and showcase what Shenzhen is all about."
Daniel Freihofer, Switzerland's consul general to Hong Kong, takes pictures of robots in action at XtalPi, an AI-driven drug discovery company based in the Shenzhen park of Hetao cooperation zone.
The GBA trip is hosted by the Commissioner's Office of Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), with the theme of "Revisiting the Greater Bay Area to Embrace New Opportunities." The first trip was hosted by the office in 2023.
Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, is leading the delegation to Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai from Tuesday to Friday for a series of meetings, inspections, and visits.
