Peter Lam Kin-ngok, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the nation’s top political advisory body, called for strengthened digital economic cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.

He also advocated deeper cultural industry cooperation among cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Lam submitted his proposals during the annual gathering of the CPPCC National Committee, which opened in Beijing on Monday.

ALSO READ: HK delegate: GBA poised to grow photovoltaic industry

Cross-border e-commerce has become one of the important channels for the mainland to import consumer goods. According to the data of the Ministry of Commerce, the transaction value of cross-border e-commerce on the mainland hit 43.8 trillion yuan in 2022, growing 3.5 percent year-on-year. Consumer goods imported through cross-border e-commerce exceeded 550 billion yuan in 2022, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the overall import volume of consumer goods. 

I recommend that a GBA data platform should be established as soon as possible so digital infrastructures between Guangdong and Hong Kong can be docked, mutually recognized, interconnected, interoperable, and standardized.

Peter Lam Kin-ngor, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee

Meanwhile, data from the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government show that the proportion of e-commerce sales in total business revenues increased from 5.7 percent in 2019 to 6.6 percent in 2021.

Noting that Hong Kong is an important node of the Belt and Road Initiative, Lam said the city can enhance its role as a “super-connector” in the construction of the Silk Road e-commerce.

The central government should position Hong Kong as an international cooperation platform for Silk Road e-commerce, support Hong Kong enterprises in seizing opportunities brought by the pilot zone for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation, and provide more support for the industry to participate in the project, he said.

READ MORE: GBA integration a focus of attention at CPPCC

Promoting smooth flow of cross-border data is a key part of digital economic cooperation, Lam stressed, suggesting that a data platform in the GBA should be established “as soon as possible”.

The GBA has gradually formed an industrial development model with Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Guangzhou serving as data centers and continuously radiating to surrounding areas, noted Lam, who is also chairman of Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

“I recommend that a GBA data platform should be established as soon as possible so digital infrastructures between Guangdong and Hong Kong can be docked, mutually recognized, interconnected, interoperable, and standardized.”

Lam suggested that the central government should promote the integration of Hong Kong’s cultural industry with other cities in the GBA, deepen cultural industry cooperation in the 11 city-cluster

Pointing out that cross-border logistics costs between Hong Kong and the mainland remain high, the political adviser said he hoped that port inspection facilities and other infrastructures could be improved. He also calls for active construction of electronic ports.

ALSO READ: Two sessions: DAB to table 31 proposals aimed at GBA ties

In addition to digital development, another aspect that Lam focused on is the integration of cultural industry in the GBA.

Lam suggested that the central government should promote the integration of Hong Kong’s cultural industry with other cities in the GBA, deepen cultural industry cooperation in the 11 city-cluster and turn Hong Kong into a leader in Lingnan cultural and creative industry.

“Hong Kong’s international background and its film industry are advantages that can be leveraged to promote integration of cultural and creative resources in the GBA,” he said.

READ MORE: GBA job program rolled out for HK's young people

Cooperation in the cultural tourism industry can also be enhanced, particularly in capitalizing Hong Kong’s international platform to fully support the development of cultural tourism industry in Hengqin, Lam added.