From June 3 to 6, a delegation of consular corps and business communities in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is on a four-day tour to visit the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Delegates of consular corps and business communities in HKSAR listen to the introduction of GBA on June 5, 2025. (GDToday Photo)
The GBA promotion event titled "Exploring Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area" was hosted by the Guangdong provincial government in Guangzhou on June 5.
Two delegates, Daniel Freihofer, Consul General of Switzerland in HKSAR, and Jeremy Sheldon, General Committee Chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in HKSAR, shared their impressions of the GBA.
GBA promotion "Exploring Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area" takes place in Guangzhou on June 5, 2025. (GDToday Photo)
From a personal perspective, Jeremy Sheldon highlighted two AI firms, XAG based in Guangzhou and XtalPi in Shenzhen, noting their use of cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance people's lives.
He also pointed out that technologies integrated with AI at XtalPi have been dedicated to addressing medical issues at a low cost.
He expressed that the British Chamber of Commerce is a strong supporter of GBA development, as many member businesses have already recognized the potential.
"The sheer number of new innovations, along with the scale and speed of technological development, is truly impressive," he noted.
Jeremy Sheldon delivers his remarks at the GBA promotion event in Guangzhou on June 5, 2025. (GDToday Photo)
"Innovation, high-tech, and creativity" were the three words Daniel Freihofer used when asked by a GDToday reporter to summarize his current feelings about the GBA.
During his remarks at the GBA promotion event, Freihofer emphasized the region's unique combination of innovation and R&D clusters, finance hubs, and advanced manufacturing, stating that the GBA stands out as a magnet for international business.
As the Consul General of Switzerland in Hong Kong, Freihofer also identified two areas of collaboration between his country and the GBA: technology and financial services.
He elaborated that both sides are innovation-driven economies, with med-tech and biotech being areas where Swiss enterprises are global leaders.
Additionally, he highlighted life sciences, stating, "It's a sector where I definitely see a lot of synergies and potential for Swiss investment and activities in the GBA," Freihofer noted.
He mentioned financial services, given Switzerland's reputation for its banking sector. During the tour, he learned that the GBA is working to develop financial sector clusters.
Daniel Freihofer delivers his remarks at the GBA promotion event in Guangzhou on June 5, 2025. (GDToday Photo)
When asked which firm impressed him the most during the tour so far, he acknowledged a common trait among the companies he visited in the GBA: the spirit of innovation and R&D-based development.
He mentioned XAG, stating, "This is a very tangible application of high-tech industries and innovation for agriculture, which could potentially revolutionize how agriculture is conducted in the future," added Freihofer.
"As we have seen and learned during this trip, the GBA is a major contributor as an innovation powerhouse. The pace and scale of innovation here is likely among the best in the world," he praised the promising region in conclusion.
Reporter: Zhang Ruijun
Video & Poster: Liang Zijian
Script: Zhang Ruijun
Photo: Liang Zijian, Zhang Ruijun
Editor: Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He
