The “Jilin-Hong Kong-Macao Economic and Trade Exchange and Changbai Mountain Ginseng Promotion Conference” was held in Hong Kong yesterday. In his welcome speech, Huang Qiang, Secretary of the Jilin Provincial Committee of the CPC and Director of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People’s Congress, said that Hong Kong, backed by the motherland and connected to the world, occupies a unique position in the overall development of the country, with distinct advantages and an important role. Chief Executive John Lee also attended the same event and said that this promotion event is an important practice of both Jilin and Hong Kong responding to the national “dual circulation” strategy and deepening complementary advantages, and is of great significance.
More than 500 guests attended the event, including: Yin Zonghua, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Li Yongsheng, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR; Li Huiqiong, Member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress; Han Fuchun, Member of the Standing Committee of the Jilin Provincial Party Committee and Head of the United Front Work Department; Wang Haimin, Chairman of Hong Kong China Travel Service (Group); Yu Zhihui, President of the Hong Kong Jilin Association; National Committee of the CPPCC Standing Committee Members Choi Koon-shum, Tam Yiu-chung, Yiu Chi-shing, and Sze Wing-wai, as well as representatives from all walks of life.
Huang Qiang pointed out, “Those whose wills are united are not deterred by mountains and seas.” The comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China and the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area are both national strategies. Jilin is currently further deepening its comprehensive reform and opening up, building an important northern gateway for the Belt and Road Initiative and becoming a central hub for Northeast Asian regional cooperation.
Hong Kong’s Total Investment in Jilin Reaches HK$70.2 Billion
Huang said that Hong Kong is a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” between the mainland and the international market, and Macao is a “precise connector” between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. As Hong Kong and Macao actively integrate into the national development strategy, now is the right time to deepen cooperation between Jilin, Hong Kong, and Macao, and there is great potential.
John Lee said that Jilin and Hong Kong are responding to the national “dual circulation” strategy. For many years, Jilin and Hong Kong have had frequent interactions in areas such as economy, trade, and culture. As of the end of last year, cumulative investment from Hong Kong in Jilin exceeded US$9 billion (approximately HK$70.2 billion), and Jilin’s high-quality agricultural products, especially Changbai Mountain ginseng, have entered the Hong Kong market. Last year, ginseng became one of the three major exports from Jilin to Hong Kong, with a total export value exceeding RMB 25 million.
In 2020, the central government proposed the concept of “dual circulation,” which aims to “establish a new development pattern with the domestic cycle as the main body and domestic and international dual circulation mutually reinforcing.”
Hongkongers Have Always Favored Ginseng
Guo Lingji, Vice Governor of Jilin Province, revealed that to target the market potential of the full ginseng industry chain with an expected annual consumption scale of RMB 300 billion to 500 billion, Jilin has tailored a ginseng industry development plan for 2025–2030. He called on all sectors in Hong Kong and Macao to seize new opportunities in the ginseng industry and jointly create a bright future for the ginseng sector.
Wu Xinghong, President of the Jilin Ginseng Industry Association, proposed a vision of “connecting through ginseng” between Jilin and Hong Kong. He said that the Jilin Ginseng Industry Association has formed a “Ginseng Industry Alliance” together with the Hong Kong Po Sau Tong Ginseng and Antler Chamber of Commerce, the Guangdong Ginseng Chamber of Commerce, and the Macao Ginseng Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally, John Lee said that Jilin is comprehensively promoting rural revitalization and industrial upgrading. Hong Kong will fully utilize its role as a bridge for “bringing in” and “going out” to contribute to the branding and internationalization of industries such as ginseng in Jilin. Together, they will promote cooperation in areas such as traditional Chinese medicine innovation, cross-border e-commerce, and cultural-tourism integration, further enhancing the global competitiveness of “Jilin Ginseng,” and contribute more to the country’s high-quality development and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Tremendous Potential in Ice and Snow Tourism and Sports
In terms of tourism, John Lee pointed out that Jilin has abundant ice and snow resources, which are highly attractive to southern cities like Hong Kong. During the past snow season, the number of tourists increased by more than 30% year-on-year, showing that Jilin’s ice and snow tourism and winter sports have enormous potential.
