A Hong Kong Trade Development Council report published Aug. 18, based on a
survey of 2,015 mainland companies across the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River
Delta, Bohai Rim and central-west regions, found 94% intend to expand into Belt
and Road countries and regions, up from 73% in 2023. The report said firms'
outbound intent has risen markedly since three years ago, with 91% targeting
ASEAN markets and more than 40% planning expansion into developed European
countries; Hong Kong is cited as the preferred service platform for these
internationalization efforts.