On 9 June 2022, Mr. Xu Haifeng, Chairman of China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU), attended ‘The Hong Kong Seminar in Europe 2022’ in Lisbon, Portugal. He delivered a speech as keynote speaker in the event, which was organized by the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide (FHKBAW) in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

Photo provided by Bank of China, Lisbon

The seminar was co-hosted and sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO), and it was co-organized by the Portugal-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHKCCI) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

Photo provided by Bank of China, Lisbon

Mr. Xu Haifeng attended the second Round Table, which focused on the importance of the global trade system and addressed the key role of Hong Kong as a gateway to markets in Asia. In particular, Mr. Xu presented the CCCEU as a bridge between European and Chinese companies and discussed the business opportunities in Hong Kong and in the Greater Bay Area, as well as the broader economic relations between European countries and this region in China. Moreover, he recommended that investors focus on two main areas, digital and green, because these are common priorities for both the EU and China, and they are experiencing rapid growth.

Photo provided by Bank of China, Lisbon

Speakers in the seminar highlighted that Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area are a globally connected center for the management of supply chains, a global hub for financial services and business services, and a global trade hub for exports/imports from and to Asia. On top of this, the region is very dynamic in terms of innovation and research and development. Furthermore, the Belt and Road Initiative also plays a role in creating opportunities for cooperation between Portuguese and Chinese companies. After the signing of the 2018 Portugal-China BRI memorandum of understanding, it is now up to Chinese and Portuguese companies to harvest the investment opportunities along the Silk Road. 

As a platform for exchanges between Chinese and European companies, the CCCEU encourages all business leaders and investors to explore opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and in the regions covered by Belt and Road Initiative.  On behalf of over 70 members, including enterprises and chambers in EU member states, CCCEU represents around 1000 Chinese enterprises in the EU, and it stands, ready to support companies looking for investment opportunities and the cooperation partners in China.