The opening ceremony of the second Shandong-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Fair was held on Oct 30 in Zibo, Shandong province.

The event, which is designed to provide a platform for companies from both Hong Kong and Shandong to showcase their strengths, new technologies and products, gathered over 400 guests from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to engage in exchanges and discussions on topics such as technological innovation, cultural exchange, and financial development.

The second Shandong-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Fair opens on Oct 30 in Zibo, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

During the opening ceremony, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee Ka-chiu extended his well-wishes in a video address. Lee said that Shandong has a solid foundation for development and is committed to expanding modern industrial systems such as the real economy and technological innovation.

According to Lee, Hong Kong's excellent rule of law tradition, market-oriented and international business environment, regulatory system and diversified financial products make it ideal for both sides to work together and create new development opportunities.

Lee believes that the fair would help further deepen cooperation between the two sides in various fields such as economy and trade, finance, modern services, innovation and technology, and promote the sharing of new opportunities between Hong Kong and Shandong.

In his speech, Zhou Liwei, vice-governor of Shandong, said that Shandong and Hong Kong have in recent years actively promoted cooperation and achieved remarkable results.

Zhou expressed hope that both sides will leverage their strengths, deepen exchanges and cooperation in finance, capital, technology, tourism, and culture, and promote the integration of Hong Kong's innovative industries such as science and technology, design, accounting, law.

He also welcomed people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to visit Shandong for sightseeing, investment, and business.

Twenty-four cooperation projects are signed during the event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In his speech, Ma Xiaolei, Party secretary of Zibo, said that Zibo has a rich historical and cultural heritage, a solid industrial foundation, good urban vitality, and a harmonious humanistic environment.

Ma expressed hope that this event would serve as an opportunity for more high-quality partners to explore doing business in Zibo.

Twenty-four cooperation projects involving 13.76 billion yuan ($1.88 billion) in investments and related to fields like medical care and health, new energy and new materials, high-end equipment and other industrial fields were signed during the event.