GBA Briefs

Hong Kong

New association launched to boost AI development

Business executives from various sectors in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region launched the Artificial Intelligence Association of Hong Kong recently to promote the development, commercialization and implementation of AI technologies.

The association is committed to building a bigger ecosystem for AI applications, enabling Hong Kong to play a leading role in the AI race, and create a platform for business leaders, innovative technology developers, and public policymakers to deepen their understanding of AI and expand related applications.

Macao

Favorable measures expectedto lift visitor numbers to 33m

With an array of favorable measures implemented by the central government, the Macao Special Administrative Region is expected to welcome 33 million visitors this year, according to the city's financial chief.

The SAR saw more than 29 million visitors in the first 10 months of 2024 - a year-on-year increase of 28.1 percent, reaching 87 percent of the levels for the corresponding period in 2019.

Guangzhou

New regulations to promote low-altitude economy

Guangzhou passed rules to regulate the low-altitude economy, using an improved legal framework to safeguard the emerging sector's development.

The regulations, with eight chapters and 41 clauses, define the application scenarios for the low-altitude economy, which refers to economic activities in airspace below 1,000 meters, including logistics delivery, passenger transportation, tourism consumption, emergency rescue and urban management, and set requirements for safety inspections in low-altitude economic operations, accident investigations, and legal responsibilities for interfering with or disrupting normal drone flights.

Shenzhen

IP forum to accelerate research and patent transformations

The first Shenzhen-Hong Kong Intellectual Property Forum was held on Dec 4 at the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Cooperation Zone, which is being jointly developed by Shenzhen with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

An intellectual property management database, a global trading platform for patented products, and software for assessing corporate creativity - set up together with the National Intellectual Property Administration - were launched at the event.

The forum aims to deliver 3,000 high-value patent transformations annually within five years, and to invest at least 1 billion yuan ($137.6 million) per year in early-stage technologies.

Zhuhai

City says 112 industrial projects worth $2b on track for Q4

A total of 112 industrial projects with an investment value of 13.2 billion yuan ($1.82 billion) were signed, or should be signed in Zhuhai in the fourth quarter, the city authorities said.

The projects cover diverse sectors, including artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and high-end equipment manufacturing. iQIYI - a Beijing-based provider for entertainment videos - will set up an operations center for its spatial video business, and will roll out Zhuhai's first immersive museum integrating virtual reality technologies with a holographic theater.

Foshan

New energy project fills gap in lithium battery industry chain

Shenzhen Senior Technology Material's South China New Energy Materials Industrial Base in Foshan has filled the gap in Foshan's lithium battery manufacturing industry.

The 10-billion-yuan project will significantly improve Foshan's manufacturing capabilities in core components of electric vehicles, and will enhance the autonomy, controllability, security and stability of the city's industrial chain.

Huizhou

Cooperation conference boostseconomic win-win for cities

The Huizhou-Hong Kong Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference, aimed at creating a win-win for both cities, was held in Huizhou recently.

Wen Yongyu, chairman of the Huizhou Municipal People's Political Consultative Conference, said that Hong Kong is Huizhou's largest source of foreign investment, and Huizhou, as an industrial city, has great potential for cooperation with Hong Kong in sectors like technology, finance and culture.

Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Hong Kong's chief secretary for administration, said Huizhou has a solid foundation in manufacturing, while Hong Kong has a well-developed service industry, and both cities can fully leverage their advantages for mutual benefit.

Dongguan

Favorable environment woos global firms to invest in city

The two-day 2024 Global Investment Promotion Conference opened on Dec 5, showcasing Dongguan's favorable investment environment and industrial developments to the world to encourage more global enterprises to invest in the city.

The participants at the conference include State-owned enterprises, foreign-funded and private companies, with the industrial categories covering advanced manufacturing, trade and e-commerce, culture and tourism, service industries, and venture capital institutions.

This year's conference features a themed meeting and five other activities, and has five overseas subvenues in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Germany and the United States.

Zhongshan

New passenger port cuts travel time to HK, Shenzhen

The new Zhongshan Passenger Port began operations recently with the first ship departing for China Ferry Terminal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Initially, ferries will operate with three routes to Hong Kong International Airport, China Ferry Terminal and Shenzhen's She-kou Port. Travel time to each destination will be about 20 minutes shorter than from the old port.

Jiangmen

Solid industrial foundation deal-clincher for French firm

French-based chemical company SNF Group has signed a cooperation pact with the Jiangmen municipal government to build a manufacturing base in the city's Xinhui district, aimed at producing 150,000 metric tons of paper chemicals annually.

As one of three paper production centers in Guangdong province, Jiangmen is home to many of the country's leading tissue manufacturers, such as Vinda International and C&S Paper.

Huo Shengtao, president of SNF Group's China branch, said their investment in Jiangmen is driven by the city's strong foundation in paper manufacturing and development potential.

Zhaoqing

First phase of industrial park for cultural sector nears completion

An industrial park for Zhaoqing's cultural sector is being built in the city's high-tech zone, with the first phase due to be completed by April next year.

The park covers various sectors of the industry, including book publishing, education and related equipment, printing and logistics. To be constructed in two phases, the park occupies a land area of 240 mu (16 hectares), with total investment of 1.85 billion yuan.