On February 11, a high-level Saudi government-business delegation comprising over 20 representatives visited Qianhai, Shenzhen to explore new cooperation potential. Led by Saleh Aljabir, General Manager of Special Economic Zones at the Saudi Ministry of Investment, the delegation included officials from key Saudi entities such as the Saudi Ministry of Investment, Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, Public Investment Fund, Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Riyadh Economic Zone, King Abdullah Economic City, and Special Integrated Logistics Zone Company.
During the delegation’s visit, Wang Shourui, Member of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee, Party Secretary of the Qianhai Cooperation Zone, and Party Secretary of Bao’an District, warmly welcomed the Saudi representatives. He provided an overview of Qianhai’s socio-economic development and highlighted potential cooperation areas, including free trade zone development and facilitating two-way business investment between Chinese and Saudi enterprises.
In response, Saleh Aljabir expressed appreciation for Qianhai’s hospitality and noted Saudi Arabia’s establishment of four special economic zones, including King Abdullah Economic City. He emphasized the vast cooperation opportunities between the two sides and conveyed Saudi’s strong interest in pursuing practical collaboration with Qianhai to explore mutual development prospects.
The roundtable discussion in Qianhai featured a productive exchange where Saudi delegates shared their special economic zone development expertise, while Qianhai officials showcased local innovations. Wen Ping, Deputy Director of the Qianhai Authority and Director of Financial Development, presented three key achievements: the progressing Qianhai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Financial City, pioneering reforms in the Qianhai Free Trade Zone, and the comprehensive services of the “Qianhai e-Station” digital platform.
Hong Kong SAR’s Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, represented by Deputy Director Liang Kairong, detailed four strategic sectors for global investment attraction: life sciences and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, financial technology, alongside advanced manufacturing and new energy solutions. Yang Haobo, Inspector of the Shenzhen Council for the Promotion of International Trade, stressed the importance of enhanced trade cooperation to streamline project execution.
The dialogue expanded to include district officials from Nanshan and Bao’an, as well as representatives from leading financial institutions and corporations including CMB International, Qianhai Mercantile Exchange, SPD Bank, ICBC, Hony Capital, CIMC, and the Qianhai Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce. Emerging cooperation opportunities cover renewable energy joint ventures, fintech partnerships, and logistics corridor development, marking tangible progress in Saudi-China economic collaboration.
At the meeting, Mr. Joseph Mak, Vice President of the Qianhai Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, emphasized how the Chamber is leveraging Qianhai’s unique policy advantages and Hong Kong’s extensive international business networks to help Chinese and Hong Kong enterprises tap into Saudi Arabia’s vast market potential.
“The Chamber is actively building exchange and cooperation platforms to facilitate business participation in Saudi economic and trade activities, paving the way for deeper overseas market expansion,” Mr. Mak stated. “We are also committed to enhancing connectivity between the two capital markets, particularly in green finance, to explore new collaborative opportunities.”
During their stay in Qianhai, the Saudi delegation visited several landmark locations including Qianhai Stone Park and the Qianhai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Financial City to gain insights into the area’s development. At the Qianhai Exhibition Hall, they examined the latest achievements in cross-border finance and modern logistics. The delegation also engaged in discussions with HSBC Qianhai Securities and HSBC Shenzhen Branch at the HSBC Qianhai Tower, and visited WeBank to learn about digital finance innovations. These visits provided the delegation with comprehensive understanding of Qianhai’s integrated approach to financial services, blockchain applications in supply chain finance, and smart logistics solutions under its “Qianhai e-Station” initiative.
The Saudi government delegation’s visit to Qianhai has significantly enhanced mutual understanding and trust between both parties, paving the way for new cooperation opportunities in economic trade, financial services, and free trade zone development. Qianhai remains steadfast in its founding mission to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages, serve mainland China’s development needs, and engage with global partners, as it continues to build itself into a high-level platform for international cooperation. This productive exchange has laid solid groundwork for future collaboration between Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives and China’s Greater Bay Area development, promising to deliver mutual benefits through deepened economic ties and shared sustainable development goals.
