Great future achievements for Chongqing & Hong Kong
Exclusive Interview with Hoffman Ma, Member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and President of the Hong Kong and Chongqing Federation
May 10 to 12, John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, visited Chongqing. During his visit, Lee Ka-chiu attended the Chongqing Hong Kong High Level Meeting and the first session of the Chongqing Hong Kong Cooperation Conference, and witnessed the signing of a series of MOUs between Chongqing and Hong Kong. The newly established "Chongqing Hong Kong Cooperation Conference Mechanism" is also the first new cooperation mechanism between the current HKSAR Government and mainland provinces and cities.
Lee Ka-chiu believes that Hong Kong has a highly internationalized environment and advantages in finance, trade, shipping, logistics, law and other professional services. Therefore, the development of Chengdu Chongqing region offers opportunities to different industries in Hong Kong.
Recently, Hoffman Ma, Member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and President of the Hong Kong and Chongqing Federation, talked with Chongqing Currents on topics related to the joint building of the New Western Land-sea Corridor between Chongqing and Hong Kong, deepening economic and trade exchanges, and the business environment in Chongqing.
New Expectations
The four major fields expecting great achievements
Chongqing Currents: Chongqing is following the master plan of "New Era, New Journey, and New Chongqing". Do you have any new expectations for closer cooperation between Chongqing and Hong Kong in the future?
Ma: Under the national layout, Hong Kong and Chongqing both play important and unique roles. Chongqing is the core city of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, and also an important strategic connection between the "Belt and Road" and the Yangtze River Economic Zone. Hong Kong is one of the core cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The 14th Five Year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong to enhance its competitive advantage. The relationship between Hong Kong and Chongqing has always been very close, and Hong Kong is an important platform for Chongqing companies to "go abroad". The signing of the "Chongqing Hong Kong Cooperation Conference Mechanism" can give us confidence in the cooperation between the two regions, and we look forward to great achievements in the four major fields of innovation, trade and investment, finance, and aviation logistics between Chongqing and Hong Kong.
Focus on logistics
Jointly building the New Western Land-sea Corridor
Chongqing Currents: Jointly building the New Western Land-sea Corridor is currently a key cooperation between Chongqing and Hong Kong. What advantages do you think Hong Kong can leverage in the process?
Ma: Hong Kong is an international shipping and trade centre with mature systems and relevant experience. Hong Kong has always been actively playing a role as an international shipping centre, expanding cooperation space, tapping into cooperation potential, increasing cooperation with Chongqing, and working together to build the New Western Land-sea Corridor. I personally believe that the “complementary advantage” that Hong Kong can provide lies in its years of experience in shipping logistics management, which includes improving the quality of customs declarations and clearance, as well as handling legal documents related issues that may arise during the customs declaration and clearance process. Hong Kong's experience in this should serve as a reference for the building of the New Western Land-sea Corridor.
Business environment
Talent cultivation and smart city construction
Chongqing Currents: You and your company have been developing in Chongqing for years. What suggestions do you have for improving the business environment in Chongqing?
Ma: The most important thing for every place to seek long-term economic development is talent cultivation. We look forward to Chongqing having more highlights in talent cultivation, increasing efforts in education to build universities with ranking advantages in China, and developing more scientific research institutions related to Chongqing's economy. The smart city project in Chongqing not only benefits locals, but also allows international residents, making study, work, and life in Chongqing more attractive.
Economic and trade cooperation
Focus on improving TFP
Chongqing Currents: Over the years, Chongqing has attracted a large number of foreign-invested companies through Hong Kong, which has become a highlight of economic and trade cooperation between the two regions. Do you have any suggestions for economic and trade cooperation between the two regions?
Ma: There is close economic and trade cooperation between Chongqing and Hong Kong, with a large number of foreign-invested companies settled in Chongqing through Hong Kong, including some of the Fortune 500 companies. I personally suggest that the economic and trade cooperation between Chongqing and Hong Kong can stand higher and look further, focus on improving TFP, combine the policy advantages given by the State, and carry out in-depth innovation cooperation in the field of scientific research.
Promote Chongqing
Spread the "Chongqing Story" and "Chongqing Opportunities" through Hong Kong
Chongqing Currents: What specific measures will the Hong Kong and Chongqing Federation take this year to promote economic and trade exchanges between Chongqing and Hong Kong?
Ma: As the President of the Hong Kong and Chongqing Federation, one of my important tasks is to ensure that the image and development opportunities of Chongqing are widely spread internationally. In the first half of 2023, the Hong Kong and Chongqing Federation, together with the Home Affairs Department of the HKSAR Government and various local associations, has held many promotional activities for Chongqing's culture and products. These activities will continue in the future, promoting Chongqing’s regional culture, development opportunities, and characteristic products, and taking the "Chongqing story" and "Chongqing opportunities" to more people around the world.
Acknowledgement: Hong Kong and Chongqing Federation, Hong Kong Commerce and Industry Associations of Women Entrepreneurs Federation Limited
Hoffman Ma, Member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and President of the Hong Kong and Chongqing Federation
Written: Zeng Rui