SCED Highlights Hong Kong's Unique Advantages to Help Chinese Enterprises Go Global at 11th Belt and Road Summit Breakout Session

Speech by SCED at 11th Belt and Road Summit Thematic Breakout Session

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the 11th Belt and Road Summit Thematic Breakout Session: Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global: Driving Mutual Growth Across Belt and Road Economies today (September 10):

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, Photo source: reference image

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. A very warm welcome to all of you. I hope all of you have made the most of our fruitful programmes on day one. This breakout session is one of the highlights of the Belt and Road Summit this year. For the first time, we have included a new chapter on "go global" in the Belt and Road Summit, which is an opportune time for our industry leaders, enterprise representatives, and professional service experts to share our strengths and insights, as well as forge collaboration with our Chinese Mainland and Belt and Road partners.

Today's session focuses on how Chinese Mainland enterprises can drive mutual growth with Belt and Road economies by leveraging the unique advantages of Hong Kong as a "super connector" and "super value-adder".

In light of the shifting geopolitics, rising trade protectionism and the reshaping of global supply chains, businesses going global is no longer simply an option; it is an increasingly important strategy for Chinese Mainland enterprises to diversify risks, strengthen resilience and pursue new growth opportunities. In fact, according to the latest research by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), over 90 per cent of Chinese Mainland enterprises are actively pursuing overseas expansion, with a particular focus on Belt and Road markets such as ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

This expanding "go global" trend spans diverse industries, including innovation and technology, green energy, fintech, advanced manufacturing, construction, etc. It also takes many forms, from traditional import-export trade and the optimisation of regional supply chains, to the establishment of production facilities and business operations overseas.

By doing so, "go global" enterprises can bring advanced technologies, investment capital, and quality job opportunities to overseas markets, driving regional economic co-operation and achieving a triple-win outcome for the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and overseas economies. This is a valuable opportunity for the global business community to work together, create shared value and pursue sustainable growth amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

Hong Kong stands as the freest economy, a leading international financial centre, one of Asia's most international cities, and one of the world's most competitive cities. Under the "one country, two systems" principle, we enjoy unparalleled advantages as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder". These include the common law system, the free flow of capital and information, a simple and low tax regime, world-class professional services, and an extensive international business network.

Besides, the rapid development of the Northern Metropolis, which covers about one-third of the total land of Hong Kong, has released new potential and land resources to serve as Hong Kong's new engine for economic growth. It offers significant opportunities for Chinese Mainland enterprises from various sectors, such as innovation and technology, education, transport and logistics, advanced manufacturing and commodity trading, to set up operations in Hong Kong, grow their businesses and obtain professional services to prepare for their global expansion.

All in all, Hong Kong serves as the ideal platform to support Chinese Mainland enterprises throughout their "go global" journey, from setting up business functions such as regional headquarters and corporate treasury centres in Hong Kong, to raising funds, navigating overseas regulations, and forging robust international partnerships.

The 11th Belt and Road Summit, Photo source: FB image

To turn this vision into action, I set up the GoGlobal Task Force (Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global) last October to provide the Chinese Mainland enterprises with one-stop tailored services. This initiative aligns with the country's 15th Five-Year Plan, which outlines Hong Kong's role in assisting Chinese Mainland enterprises to venture abroad by leveraging our world-class professional services.

The GoGlobal Task Force is proactively supporting Chinese Mainland enterprises through a three-step approach: first, we attract enterprises with strong growth potential to Hong Kong; second, leveraging our strengths in professional services, we help them set up international corporate structures and meet regulatory requirements for seamless international expansion; and finally, we support them in establishing a presence overseas.

Since the establishment of the GoGlobal Task Force, I am proud to say that we have made substantial achievements. We have assisted over 300 Chinese Mainland enterprises in setting up or expanding businesses in Hong Kong; organised more than 20 promotional events and engaged over 5 000 representatives of Chinese Mainland enterprises; and established the GoGlobal Cross-sectoral Professional Services Platform to provide support in eight dedicated areas, including legal, accounting, financial services, marketing and branding, as well as testing and certification.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of GoGlobal Task Force members, relevant professional bodies and industry associations, over 200 service providers have already been listed on this Platform, administrated by the HKTDC. The GoGlobal Task Force will continue to enhance the functions of the Platform and enrich the list of professional service providers to meet the growing business needs of Chinese Mainland enterprises.

Besides, the Chief Executive and I have led two high-level missions to Central Asia and Malaysia earlier this year to help enterprises better understand overseas markets and explore co-operation opportunities. We have successfully catalysed connections and concrete collaboration between Chinese Mainland enterprises and the local business community.

To explore how such collaboration creates a triple-win situation for the Chinese Mainland, overseas markets and Hong Kong, the upcoming panel discussion of this breakout session brings together leading business representatives and experts. I am confident that the discussion will spark new ideas, forge robust partnerships, and uncover exciting opportunities across the Belt and Road region.

Apart from this breakout session, there are many other "go global" elements in this year's Summit. These include a physical GoGlobal Connect Zone in the exhibition area, which illustrates value-added services that can be offered to "go global" enterprises by various professional sectors in Hong Kong, as well as thematic roundtable discussions and business matching meetings for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to go global and professional service providers. In addition, the HKTDC will lead a business mission to Nansha, Guangzhou, offering participants first-hand insights into the development and investment opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Going forward, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to step up its "go global" efforts and strengthen the two-way flow of investment between Belt and Road economies and Hong Kong.

Ladies and gentlemen, I encourage you all to seize today's opportunity to learn more about the "go global" initiative. To benefit from this initiative and other business-friendly policies such as tax incentives and the Northern Metropolis development, I strongly recommend that enterprises from the Chinese Mainland and overseas professional services providers favourably consider establishing a presence in Hong Kong.

I wish you all a highly engaging and successful discussion. Before you leave Hong Kong, please make sure that you have spared time to explore our city's delicious cuisine, diverse East-meets-West culture, and magnificent countryside landscapes, and make your visit truly memorable. Thank you.

The 11th Belt and Road Summit, Photo source: beltandroadsummit.com

In support of World Diabetes Day, public is advised to have regular screening and maintain balanced diet to reduce risks promptly

The International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization have designated November 14 each year as World Diabetes Day. Under this year's theme "Early Action on Diabetes", members of the public are urged to take collective action to control diabetes early.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 14) reminded the public that diabetes is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Hong Kong. According to the Population Health Survey 2020-22, 8.5 per cent of non-institutionalised persons aged 15 to 84 had diabetes or raised blood glucose. Among them, the vast majority had Type 2 diabetes (95 per cent). Risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes include being overweight and obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, a family history of diabetes, or a history of gestational diabetes. Therefore, the best ways to reduce the risk of developing diabetes and associated complications are adopting a healthy lifestyle and undergoing regular screening, which is in line with the Government's "early prevention, early detection and early treatment" initiative.

"Diabetes is a common chronic condition characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood. Patients usually do not have obvious symptoms in the early stages. As the disease progresses, diabetes may present with symptoms or complications, including excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, weight loss, lethargy, poor wound healing and infections. Poor control may result in serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases than those without diabetes. Globally, the number of people with diabetes continues to rise, making it one of the fastest-growing health challenges. The CHP's survey found that many people are unaware they have diabetes, thereby missing the optimal time for controlling the disease and receiving treatment," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses (collectively referred to as DHCs), as the hubs for co-ordinating and supporting primary healthcare services, provide screening and management services for chronic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), family doctor pairing, health promotion, health risk assessment and community rehabilitation. The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau, said, "Hong Kong residents aged 45 or above with no known medical history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension can enrol in the DHC's Primary Healthcare Co-care Network and receive comprehensive cardiovascular disease risk factor screening and management (including high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol) in the private healthcare sector on a co-payment basis, through pairing with a family doctor, to delay or prevent diabetes and its complications. A preliminary analysis by a local university research team indicated an overall improvement in Chronic Disease Co-care Pilot Scheme participants' health conditions. After 12 months in the programme, the average glycated haemoglobin level of patients with diabetes mellitus decreased from 7.8 per cent to 6.7 per cent."

Diabetes is mainly classified into Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the dysfunction of insulin-producing cells, which may be related to hereditary factors, autoimmune disorders or some environmental factors. Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body's resistance to insulin. Apart from hereditary factors, the main factors are related to an unhealthy lifestyle (including poor lifestyle habits, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity or obesity). To prevent Type 2 diabetes and its complications, the key is to maintain a healthy body weight and a balanced diet; control sugar and saturated fat intake; refrain from alcohol consumption and smoking; and stay physically active. Adults should engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity (or an equivalent combination), per week. A study also found that for every 1 unit (kilogram per square metre) increase in body mass index among adults, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes rises by 23 per cent.

In March 2026, the Government launched the Action Plan on Weight Management (Action Plan) to raise public awareness regarding personal weight management through multipronged collaboration and participation across the community. Furthermore, the 10 000 Steps a Day Walking Challenge has been regularised. Gamifying physical activity, the scheme encourages citizens to make walking an enjoyable habit. Combined with a balanced diet, this approach aims to reduce the risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases and maintain good health. The Action Plan is steered by an interdepartmental Weight Management Working Group. Co-ordinating policies in healthcare, education, recreation and culture, urban planning, and other areas, the Action Plan will implement five key directions and 15 objectives systematically over three years. With a strategy that spans the entire life cycle, the Action Plan aims to strengthen the role of primary healthcare as the "gatekeeper", promoting collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine and integrating health data through the eHealth platform to comprehensively support citizens in managing and safeguarding their health.

To promote healthy diet, the DH has launched a number of measures, including the StartSmart@school.hk Campaign for kindergartens and child care centres, the EatSmart@school.hk Campaign for schools, and the EatSmart Restaurant Star+ Campaign, which encourages restaurants to offer healthier dishes.

For details, please visit the Action Plan on Weight Management, 10 000 Steps a Day Walking Challenge and Change4Health web pages of the DH, as well as the Primary Healthcare Commission's website.

Source: AI-found images