Fujian province and Hong Kong can flourish together, with boundless potential and the promise for deeper cooperation — a key takeaway from Fujian’s promotion conference in Hong Kong on Thursday.
The event was a highlight of a high-profile delegation led by Fujian provincial officials, aimed at deepening exchanges and cooperation between Fujian and Hong Kong. The conference showcased Fujian’s strengths, particularly its cultural and tourism resources, and explored investment opportunities for both regions.
Zhou Zuyi, secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, said that the province has maintained strong growth momentum. The central government has granted Fujian a series of pioneering policies, such as the establishment of a pilot free-trade zone.
Zhou said that Fujian consistently ranks eighth in GDP among mainland provinces. In the first half of 2025, the province’s GDP grew 5.7 percent year-on-year, 0.4 percentage points higher than the national average. Its whole-year GDP is projected to exceed 6 trillion yuan ($835.9 billion), up from 5.78 trillion yuan in 2024.
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He also highlighted Fujian’s excellent ecological and environmental quality, boasting a forest coverage rate of 62.15 percent, the highest among mainland provinces for past 46 years. Key environmental indicators, including water and air quality, remain among the best in the country.
Zhou said that Hong Kong is the top destination for Fujian companies seeking to list outside the mainland, with 70 Fujian companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
This year alone, five Fujian companies, including battery giant CATL, debuted in Hong Kong, Zhou said.
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Bernard Chan Pak-li, Hong Kong undersecretary of commerce and economic development, said that Hong Kong’s status as a global financial hub can help Fujian enterprises access international capital and resources, supporting their global expansion.
He added that Hong Kong can also assist Fujian companies in accelerating the research and development, technological innovation, and the development of a green economy.
Miao Jianmin, chairman of China Merchants Group, said that Hong Kong has long been Fujian’s largest source of external investment.
He said CMG will capitalize on its position as a State-owned enterprise based in Hong Kong to work closely with the local business community, supporting Fujian companies’ global expansion and deepening collaboration between the two regions.
Contact the writer at mikegu@chinadailyhk.com
