Hong Kong’s plan for logistics hub to strengthen its critical role in global trade

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By Wang Yi (Global Times) 09:01, May 26, 2025

The GBA, home to more than 86 million people and a GDP exceeding 14 trillion yuan ($1.95 trillion), is one of China's most open and economically vibrant regions. Hong Kong's e-commerce hub initiative will complement neighboring cities' strengths - such as the Hong Kong-Dongguan collaboration on sea-air intermodal transport, with the first phase of the Dongguan Logistics Park set for completion by the end of 2025. This kind of regional cooperation is poised to boost the GBA's logistics efficiency and global competitiveness.

As Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation continues to advance, Hong Kong - positioned as a vital bridge between Chinese mainland and BRI partners - is poised to seize new development opportunities. By strengthening cooperation with the mainland and BRI partner countries, Hong Kong logistics firms can further expand their business scope and enhance their international competitiveness.

For instance, Hong Kong Customs extended its Free Trade Agreement Transshipment Facilitation Scheme in 2024 to include shipments between the mainland and Vietnam, Nicaragua, and Serbia via Hong Kong, reinforcing its position as a vital logistics link.

In recent years, Hong Kong's logistics industry has navigated a complex and evolving landscape. Shifting global trade dynamics and the rise of protectionism have posed significant challenges to the sector. However, there remains a strong reason for optimism about its future.

The 2025 Government Work Report emphasized the need to boost the capacity for innovation of economically developed regions like the GBA. With its robust digital trade sector, Hong Kong is poised to seize new opportunities in high-quality development, leveraging its strengths to advance both regional integration and global connectivity.

Hong Kong's efforts to promote digital transformation, enhance infrastructure, facilitate cross-border data flows, and deepen integration of the digital and real economies will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of regional trade.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)