The 2017 Wuxi-Hong Kong Smart Manufacturing and Modern Service Industry Conference was held in Hong Kong on Dec 7. [Photo/We Chat Wuxi Report]

Li Xiaomin, Party secretary of Wuxi, led an economic and commercial delegation to Hong Kong to deepen communication and promote cooperation with the local business community from Dec 7 to 9.

On the afternoon of Dec 7, Li, together with Qiu Hong, vice director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Tang Yingnian, president of the Federation of Hong Kong Jiangsu Community Organizations and other representatives from the business community attended the 2017 Wuxi-Hong Kong Smart Manufacturing and Modern Service Industry Conference.

As an international financial center and also a platform for the mainland to the rest of the world, Hong Kong has deep relations with Wuxi. For example, Rong Zhijian, the chairman of Long Yuan Holdings, is the son of Rong Yiren (1916-2005), a reputed Wuxi merchant.

In order to promote solidarity between associations and organizations in Jiangsu province and Hong Kong, the Federation of Hong Kong Jiangsu Community Organizations was established in 2015.

Li Xiaomin expressed his welcome and gratitude to representations of the Hong Kong business community. He played a video to show the broad prospects for development in Wuxi arising from its superior geographical advantage and investment environment.

Tang Yingnian, president of the federation, introduced Wuxi as a modern city which is rapidly developing under the influence of international industry. Tang hoped to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability as well as enhance cooperation between Wuxi and Hong Kong.

Some 200 Hong Kong representatives attended the conference. The 11 projects signed so far, including a China Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Park and intelligent manufacturing projects, are expected to bring some $5 billion of investment to Wuxi.

Wuxi officials also met major business groups and leading enterprises in Hong Kong, such as Wharf (Holdings) Limited and the Hang Lung Group, trying to reach further cooperation in the fields of financing, culture, and talent cultivation, among others.

Local media in Hong Kong introduced Wuxi to the public and business community in the special administrative area, noting that the city has achieved great progress in economic development, urban environment and ecological protection.

"Wuxi's advantages in smart manufacturing fit well with Hong Kong's service industry. We will combine our strengths and deepen our cooperation in future. The friendship between Taihu Lake and Victoria Harbor will last forever. Welcome to Wuxi!" said Li Xiaomin.