Chen Hao, party secretary of the Keqiao district committee of the Communist Party of China, speaks during the Shaoxing Keqiao (Hong Kong) Economic, Trade, Culture and Tourism Promotion Event in Hong Kong, March 6, 2024. (DANNY XU / CHINA DAILY)

The Shaoxing Keqiao Week 2024 began in Hong Kong on Wednesday, highlighting economic, trade, and cultural bonds between the special administrative region and the Keqiao district of Shaoxing city, Zhejiang province.

Organized by the Keqiao district committee of the Communist Party of China and the People's Government of Keqiao district, the promotion event aspires to leverage the advantages of Hong Kong to propel the development of Keqiao, which is renowned for its textile industry.

A number of projects were signed, covering various fields such as textiles, garments, culture and tourism, and water treatment.

Chen Hao, party secretary of the CPC's Keqiao district committee, said the event is significant in establishing the Keqiao district as a model of modernization in China.

Chen emphasized Hong Kong's crucial role as a gateway for foreign investment and warmly welcomed Hong Kong people to visit and invest in the district.

He also expressed the desire for the two places to collaborate on talent cultivation, project docking, and commercialization of achievements.

This undated file photo shows a view of the Keqiao district, Shaoxing city, China's Zhejiang province. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Home to more than 8,000 textile enterprises, Keqiao has created a complementary textile industrial chain with Hong Kong, the "Fashion Capital" of Asia, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and expertise.

In 2023, Keqiao's foreign trade exports to Hong Kong exceeded 372 million yuan ($51.5 million), marking a 257.47 percent year-on-year growth, official data showed.

The two sides are embarking on R&D cooperation in the areas of new materials, advanced textile technologies, and cutting-edge garment production, said the event organizers.