OCMFA's Zhongshan Tour: Exploring Local Lighting Industry Development and Urban Vitality

On the morning of the second day of the delegation visit, they toured the Starry Union Global Brand Lighting Center in Guzhen Town, the renowned "Lighting Capital". In the afternoon, the delegation headed to Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street to immerse themselves in Zhongshan's local culture and urban vitality.

On the morning of the second day of the delegation visit, they toured the Starry Union Global Brand Lighting Center in Guzhen Town, the renowned "Lighting Capital". Photo by Bastille Post

The delegation first visited the Starry Union Global Brand Lighting Center in Guzhen Town, a town renowned for its lighting industry and home to the world's largest lighting production base, supplying approximately 70% of the Chinese lighting market. Over the past five years, Guzhen Town's GDP has grown from 11.76 billion RMB in 2020 to 17.78 billion RMB in 2025, representing an average annual growth rate of 8.6%.

Photo by Bastille Post

As a landmark of Guzhen's lighting industry, the Starry Union Global Brand Lighting Center stands over 100 meters tall and features a massive glass curtain wall. With a total construction area exceeding 360,000 square meters, it brings together more than a thousand renowned lighting brands from both domestic and international markets, integrating brand display, international procurement, and R&D design—truly a "never-ending expo" for the lighting industry. The delegation especially visited the Swarovski zone of Diamond Life International Lighting Group and the Datang Palace exhibition hall, etc., where they experienced firsthand high-end customized lighting solutions and magnificent lighting designs. They witnessed the remarkable transformation of Zhongshan's lighting industry from traditional manufacturing to intelligent, high-end production.

With a total construction area exceeding 360,000 square meters, the center brings together more than a thousand renowned lighting brands from both domestic and international markets. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Riaz Ahmed Shaikh, Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Hong Kong, remarked that the lighting center in Zhongshan was deeply impressive. He noted that the center showcases strong design capabilities and a wide range of customization options. 

He indicated that there are significant opportunities for cooperation between Zhongshan and Pakistan. Lighting products are essential for nearly every hotel, shopping mall, store, or residence. At present, Pakistan mainly sources lighting fixtures from Guangzhou and Shenzhen, but the Star Union is a place well worth close attention, which is highly attractive in terms of customized design, delivery times, and production capacity. He believed that Pakistani businesses and buyers would come here to explore cooperation opportunities in the future.

The group photo of the delegation, Photo by Bastille Post

When asked what role Hong Kong can play in the cooperation between Zhongshan and Pakistan, he stated that Hong Kong, situated at the crossroads of the world and the Chinese Mainland, possesses unique locational advantages. As an important city in the Greater Bay Area, Zhongshan, like Guangzhou and Shenzhen, is full of development vitality. Hong Kong can serve as a bridge, helping to connect Zhongshan businesses with Pakistani buyers and enabling more international buyers to come to Zhongshan and explore business opportunities.

When asked about his impressions of the visit to Zhongshan, he noted that compared to Shenzhen and Guangzhou, Zhongshan is smaller in scale. However, its speed of development and level of professionalism are astonishing, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, healthcare, new energy, and lighting, where it has demonstrated strong capabilities and significant potential. He believed that though Zhongshan currently lacks sufficient international visibility, it can unlock even greater development potential if it attracts more international buyers and investors in the future.

The delegation then visited Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street. Photo by Bastille Post

The delegation then visited Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street, a century-old street named after Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Stretching approximately 500 meters as a historical witness to Zhongshan's urban development, the street preserves a large number of Nanyang-style shop-house buildings constructed from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, featuring a blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles: The ground floors house shops while the upper floors serve as residences, creating a unique mixed-use commercial and residential landscape. Once Zhongshan's most prosperous commercial hub, the Old Street reflects the city's proud history as a hometown of overseas Chinese. Today, through conservation and revitalization efforts, Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street retains its historical character while incorporating modern commercial elements, becoming an important window presenting Zhongshan's overseas Chinese culture and urban vitality.

The Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Jim Zeng, Chief Representative of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council for the Greater Bay Area and Central China, said the visit gave him a deep impression that Zhongshan possesses both traditional industries and emerging future-oriented sectors. He noted that traditional industries, such as lighting, can leverage Hong Kong's geographical advantage for optimization and upgrading, including brand design, overseas promotion, and global operations. The city can help the corporations further enhance the international competitiveness of their existing products.

The delegation visited Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street. Photo by Bastille Post

He observed that emerging technology industries, such as the new energy corporations he visited, have an even greater need for global resources integration, making the requirement more urgent than for traditional industries. Many new technologies, whether in new energy or other fields, are underpinned by Chinese technology, standards, and solutions. To rapidly expand into global markets and increase the scale in the future, the corporations must have a greater say in setting technical standards. Hong Kong can play a crucial role in this regard.

He further stated that Hong Kong can serve as both a testing ground and a training ground. Companies can test, refine, and adapt their products in Hong Kong's international environment before launching them in overseas markets, and Hong Kong is the best bridge connecting the Mainland with the international market.

The group photo of some delegation members, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Zeng also indicated that Hong Kong can act as a value-added agent and risk manager. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council's recently launched "Go Global" initiative aims to help companies expand more effectively worldwide by integrating financial, talent, and legal resources, thereby reducing overseas operational risks and accelerating the establishment of overseas headquarters and after-sales service centers.

The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA) organized a delegation visit to Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, from April 9 to 10, under the theme "Visit Zhongshan: Together for Stronger Hong Kong and Zhongshan Cooperation". On the evening of April 9, the delegation attended the Economic, Trade and Investment Exchange Conference.

On the evening of April 9, the delegation attended the Economic, Trade and Investment Exchange Conference. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Hua You, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, stated that Hong Kong and Zhongshan share a deep historical connection, being geographically close and bound by a common culture. 2026 marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of China's democratic revolution. Zhongshan is Dr. Sun Yat-sen's hometown, while Hong Kong is where his democratic revolution began. Since the Reform and Opening-up, the economic, trade, and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two cities have accelerated continuously, with complementary advantages and integrated development expanding their scope. In recent years, numerous Hong Kong delegations have visited Zhongshan, and an increasing number of Hong Kong compatriots are choosing to invest, start businesses, and retire in Zhongshan, a testament to the city's industrial strength and urban charm.

Mr. Hua You, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Photo by Bastille Post

He pointed out that Zhongshan boasts a unique geographical advantage, outstanding industrial strengths, and a rich historical and cultural heritage, giving it significant potential for cooperation with Hong Kong: First, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge has created a "30-minute Greater Bay Area living circle", making the collaborative vision of "Hong Kong R&D + Zhongshan Manufacturing" a reality. Second, Zhongshan has a complete manufacturing system, with emerging industries such as biomedicine, new energy, and new materials rising rapidly, offering enormous cooperation potential with Hong Kong. Third, Zhongshan is actively creating a favorable business environment and a high-quality living environment, providing ample space for foreign investment and enterprises to settle and expand their business opportunities.

Mr. Hua further stated that the purpose of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in organizing the visit to Zhongshan is to help more foreign friends learn about and understand Zhongshan, and to explore cooperation opportunities between Zhongshan and Hong Kong. He noted that the National 15th Five-Year Plan outlines the deepening of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's development and the acceleration of building a world-class bay area. He expressed hope that the visiting delegation members would share their experiences with more friends, introduce the Greater Bay Area to global society, and allow the world to better understand and appreciate its unique charm.

On the evening of April 9, the delegation attended the Economic, Trade and Investment Exchange Conference. Photo by Bastille Post

Dr. Chan Pak Li, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development, stated that as important members of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong and Zhongshan will continue to cooperate closely to jointly promote regional economic development. Hong Kong's position as an international investment hub remains solid, with private consumption data showing strong performance. The HKSAR government will continue to consolidate its traditional industrial advantages while actively exploring new growth areas, such as the GoGlobal Task Force and Trade Fastpass, striving to promote global partnerships.

Dr. Chan Pak Li, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development, Photo by Bastille Post

Dr. Chan emphasized that to fully leverage Hong Kong's advantages and further drive economic development, it is essential to welcome the joint efforts of the government, academia, and business sectors to build Hong Kong into an indispensable force for global innovation. He looks forward to working closely with stakeholders, including foreign chambers of commerce, to seize the vast opportunities for future cooperation, contributing to China's high-quality development and high-level opening-up while achieving mutual benefit and win-win results.

Mr. Guo Wenhai, Secretary of the CPC Zhongshan Municipal Committee, stated that with the opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge and the launch of the New Zhongshan Passenger Port, transportation between Hong Kong and Zhongshan has become significantly more convenient. He pointed out that the drive from Shenzhen to Hong Kong takes about an hour, while the ferry ride from the New Zhongshan Passenger Port to Hong Kong takes only 50 minutes, indicating broad prospects for cooperation between the two cities. Last year, Hong Kong Polytechnic University established an innovation center in Zhongshan, and this September, the school will collaborate with Zhongshan to cultivate 200 master's students in biomedicine. He also noted that a large number of young people from Hong Kong are starting businesses and finding employment in Zhongshan, enabling the two cities to deepen cooperation in areas such as "Hong Kong R&D + Zhongshan Manufacturing", "Hong Kong Youth + Zhongshan Entrepreneurship and Employment", and "Hong Kong Talent + Zhongshan Quality of Life". Last year, over 20% of buyers in Zhongshan's real estate market came from Hong Kong, showing that more and more Hong Kong residents are choosing to settle in Zhongshan.

Mr. Guo Wenhai, Secretary of the CPC Zhongshan Municipal Committee, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Guo further pointed out that Guangdong is promoting Zhongshan to establish a reform and innovation experimental zone for the integrated development of the east and west banks of the Pearl River Estuary, to build Zhongshan into a high-level open city and a modern, culturally vibrant city on the west bank of the Pearl River Estuary. Zhongshan is advancing integration with Shenzhen in six key areas—urban planning, business environment, industrial structure, technological innovation, transportation, and social governance—and is committed to creating a market-oriented, law-based, and internationally competitive business environment.

Mr. Peter Lund, Consul-General of New Zealand to Hong Kong, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Peter Lund, Consul-General of New Zealand to Hong Kong, stated that the Greater Bay Area is one of the world's most dynamic economic engines. For New Zealand, the Greater Bay Area serves as an indispensable gateway to the Chinese market—New Zealand's largest trading partner. The Greater Bay Area is experiencing rapid growth in demand for high-quality food, agricultural products, and professional services. New Zealand's strengths in quality, sustainability, and reliability align perfectly with such a market, offering the greatest growth potential for the economy.

He pointed out that the two countries share a long and rich history. As early as the 1860s, when Chinese pioneers first arrived in the Otago Goldfield of New Zealand seeking opportunities, many of them were compatriots from Zhongshan and the Pearl River Delta. They laid the earliest cultural exchange ties between China and New Zealand, which have since developed into the vibrant Sino-New Zealand communities we see today. In Auckland, the Auckland Zhong Shan Clan Association, established in 1984, remains a crucial cornerstone in maintaining bilateral cultural and business networks. He expressed his hope that the cooperative relationship between New Zealand and the Greater Bay Area, rooted in a deep history, guided by a vibrant business relationship, and underpinned by a shared commitment to free trade, will continue to prosper in the future.

Mr. Alex Tam, Chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Alex Tam, Chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, stated that Zhongshan, as the hometown of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, holds a special place in the hearts of many Chinese people. Returning here today is not only with the identity as a representative of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, but also with a deep respect for Dr. Sun Yat-sen's enduring cultural legacy. He said that the Canadian Chamber of Commerce looks forward to further deepening exchanges and cooperation among Canada, the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and the Greater Bay Area—including Zhongshan—to create greater value for both communities and economies.

Ms. Zheng Guanting, Deputy Director of Zhongshan Bureau of Investment Promotion, Photo by Bastille Post

Furthermore, Ms. Zheng Guanting, Deputy Director of Zhongshan Bureau of Investment Promotion, introduced Zhongshan's business environment and development opportunities to the delegation at the conference.