Last month, over 250 industry professionals and policymakers gathered for the Greater Bay Area AI+ & Investment Exchange Seminar, co-organized by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corp and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office. Held across Hong Kong and Shenzhen, the seminar focused on artificial intelligence, investment opportunities, and regulatory alignment, emphasizing how cross-boundary collaboration and unified standards are now central to the Greater Bay Area’s ambition to become a global hub for innovation and investment.
Senior officials emphasized Hong Kong’s unique role in fostering regional integration, leveraging its strengths in finance, law, and quality assurance, to position the city as a leader in setting regional standards and supporting Greater Bay Area enterprises in pursuing global success.
For decades, Hong Kong has been recognized for its high standards in financial, legal, and professional services. As the Greater Bay Area fosters deeper regional integration, the city now has a unique opportunity to align standards across the region and reinforce its position as a leader in establishing international benchmarks.
However, this requires decisive action from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, which must adopt a proactive role in guiding the development of Greater Bay Area-wide standards. By harmonizing diverse practices and leveraging each other’s strengths and reputation for excellence, Hong Kong can ensure these standards meet international benchmarks. A clear articulation of this vision will not only foster collaboration but also enhance the city’s ability to attract investment and talent.
Proactive governance and coordinated efforts are vital for aligning Greater Bay Area standards with international practices. A unified framework can combine Hong Kong’s expertise in quality assurance with the Chinese mainland’s scale and technological advancement, laying a strong foundation for ongoing innovation and economic development. By linking Hong Kong’s recognized standards with the mainland’s market influence, the Greater Bay Area can develop into a dynamic ecosystem that leverages complementary strengths and demonstrates the “one country, two systems” framework as a catalyst for sustainable, long-term regional progress.
Modular Integrated Construction (MIC) exemplifies how Hong Kong can lead in harmonizing professional and manufacturing standards. MIC involves assembling buildings from prefabricated components, providing a faster, safer, and more sustainable construction method. By integrating Hong Kong’s expertise in quality assurance with the mainland’s manufacturing capacity, a unified Greater Bay Area construction standard could be established. Such collaboration would tackle housing challenges while creating a globally competitive brand for modular construction, demonstrating how unified standards offer practical, high-impact solutions.
Testing and certification is another key area in which Hong Kong can play a significant role. Organizations like the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA) and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) are trusted guardians of product quality and compliance. CMA Testing, accredited under the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme, offers businesses the tools needed to meet global-market standards.
Similarly, FHKI’s Standards and Testing Centre ensures products meet standards across major jurisdictions, including the European Union and the United States. The ability of both centers to test against standards from multiple global regions is invaluable for Greater Bay Area enterprises aiming for international markets. Expanding their scope to oversee Greater Bay Area-wide certification would strengthen Hong Kong’s authority in compliance and quality assurance.
As the main link between the mainland and the international community, Hong Kong has the unique ability to harmonize practices in vital areas like finance, environmental, social and governance, and digital governance. This will not only maintain its relevance but also establish it as a global standard for excellence and collaboration
Healthcare is another good example, as health and related services exemplify the human aspect of unified standards. Many Hong Kong seniors are moving to Guangdong province because of its affordability and more spacious living conditions, but regulatory differences in healthcare and insurance pose unnecessary difficulties. Harmonizing healthcare standards across the Greater Bay Area would merge Hong Kong’s medical expertise with Guangdong’s accessibility, enhancing the quality of life for cross-border residents while strengthening Hong Kong’s leadership in healthcare innovation.
This approach could also be applied to healthcare services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. With its well-developed training programs, Hong Kong can support the development of joint registration platforms and clinical standards across the Greater Bay Area. As demand grows, consistent, high-quality care would position Hong Kong as a regional leader in healthcare standard-setting.
The seminar mentioned above demonstrated that unified standards and cross-boundary collaboration in AI, technology, and professional services are crucial for the Greater Bay Area’s future. The HKSAR government and industry players recognize these as the keys to competitiveness, growth, and regional integration.
To seize these opportunities, Hong Kong must act decisively. By leveraging its leadership in international standards compliance, the city can play a vital role in codeveloping Greater Bay Area standards with mainland cities, raising the region’s global competitiveness.
Expanding its influence in sectors like MIC, testing and certification, and healthcare will not only demonstrate its ability to align rules with international standards but also strengthen the Greater Bay Area’s position as a hub for innovation and manufacturing. This collaborative approach will leverage the complementary strengths of Hong Kong’s regulatory expertise and the mainland’s manufacturing capacity, fostering a dynamic ecosystem that encourages sustainable development.
To fulfill this vision, Hong Kong must lead through innovation and demonstrate adaptability to changing regional and global trends. Its ability to align international standards with the mainland’s strengths offers a unique opportunity to co-create the Greater Bay Area as a model of regional integration. Acting now secures the city’s vital role in shaping a vibrant and integrated Greater Bay Area that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and shared standards.
As the main link between the mainland and the international community, Hong Kong has the unique ability to harmonize practices in vital areas like finance, environmental, social and governance, and digital governance. This will not only maintain its relevance but also establish it as a global standard for excellence and collaboration.
The author is president of Our Hong Kong Foundation.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
