The Jilin-Hong Kong-Macao Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference & Changbai Mountain Ginseng Promotion Event takes place on May 19 in Hong Kong. [Photo/Jilin Daily]

More than 500 representatives from business and government gathered on May 19 in Hong Kong for the Jilin-Hong Kong-Macao Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference & Changbai Mountain Ginseng Promotion Event.

The event served as a platform to explore new opportunities in industrial collaboration and resource sharing, while deepening economic ties among Jilin province, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu addressed the opening ceremony. He noted that Jilin is advancing rural vitalization and industrial upgrading, and highlighted Hong Kong's unique advantages as an international financial, trade, and shipping hub. He pledged support in promoting the branding and globalization of Jilin's ginseng industry, along with cooperation in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) innovation, cross-border e-commerce, and cultural tourism.

Huang Qiang, Party secretary of Jilin province, emphasized Jilin's commitment to opening up as a key gateway to Northeast Asia and the Belt and Road Initiative. He called Hong Kong a "super connector" and "value-adder" between the Chinese mainland and international markets, noting that the timing is ideal for deeper collaborations among Jilin, Hong Kong, and Macao.

The president of the Federation of Hong Kong Jilin Associations said the federation will strengthen Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" to help bring Jilin products abroad while channeling Hong Kong investment into northern China.

The event featured dedicated matchmaking zones for Jilin specialties, equipment manufacturing, and biomedicine, encouraging exchanges between the three regions' enterprises.