Hong Kong's status as the premier professional services hub for Mainland enterprises expanding globally has been reinforced by new research from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The survey, which examined the internationalization strategies of Mainland businesses, found that 83% of respondents view Hong Kong as their first-choice services platform, followed by the Chinese Mainland (78%) and Singapore (31%). This preference underscores the city's unique advantages, including its highly internationalized business environment, robust legal system, free flow of capital and information, and extensive international business networks.
The research, titled "Mainland Enterprises’ Global Expansion: Hong Kong - The Premier Service Platform," reveals that Mainland companies are adopting increasingly comprehensive global strategies. According to the survey, 82% of enterprises have plans to expand existing overseas operations, 63% are focusing on developing new overseas business activities, 54% plan to enhance overseas sourcing, 47% aim to expand sales networks, and 36% intend to boost technology cooperation. These strategies extend beyond simple trade to include supply chain integration, cross-border investment, and higher value-added activities, driving demand for professional support services.
Bruce Pang, Director of HKTDC Research, noted, "With the overseas expansion strategies of Mainland enterprises now extending to supply chain integration, cross-border investment and higher value-added business activities, the need for highly professional support services has continued to grow. As the first-choice professional services hub for the majority of the surveyed enterprises, Hong Kong’s unique connectivity and unrivalled expertise have ensured it is playing an ever more significant role in helping Mainland business seize global opportunities."
The survey highlights the growing importance of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) markets. A striking 94% of companies expressed interest in developing business in these territories, a significant jump from 73% in a comparable 2023 survey. Among these, 91% prioritize expanding existing ASEAN activities, with particular focus on Singapore (49%), Vietnam (46%), Thailand (44%), and Malaysia (41%). Beyond Asia, 48% target advanced European markets, 47% plan to deepen engagement with the US and Canada, interest in the Middle East rose from 33% in 2023 to 46%, and interest in Latin America doubled from 17% to 34%.
Mainland enterprises face several challenges, including intensified competition from other regions (61%), geopolitical tensions (55%), rising costs in Mainland (51%), and tariff and non-tariff trade barriers (50%). To mitigate these, companies are focusing on improving production and service efficiency (60%), better managing risks (57%), and controlling costs (57%). Wing Chu, Deputy Director of HKTDC Research, explained, "Most enterprises pursuing international expansion plan to develop two to three overseas business functions (61%), indicating their intention to extend along different stages of the global industrial and business value chain. During this process they face major challenges, including difficulty coping with rapidly changing market uncertainties, intense competition in overseas markets, and insufficient capital to adjust business operations and supply chains. These challenges underline the growing need for professional services support."
Hong Kong's role is further bolstered by policy support, including the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which explicitly supports Hong Kong's integration into national development and its professional services strengths to aid Mainland enterprises going global. In October 2025, the Hong Kong SAR Government launched the GoGlobal Task Force to integrate financial, business network, and government resources, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a go-global services platform.
The upcoming Belt and Road Summit, jointly organized by the HKSAR Government and HKTDC, is set to take place on 9-10 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Under the theme "Advancing High-Quality Development - Embarking on a New Journey," the summit will feature a dedicated "Go Global Chapter" with breakout sessions on overseas expansion and Hong Kong's professional services strengths, as well as a new "GoGlobal Connect" zone offering consultation and practical support. This year's summit also includes a GoGlobal Business Mission to Nansha, Guangzhou, providing insights into Greater Bay Area developments.
The full research report is available at https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MjQwNjQ5OTA3MA. Photo downloads are available at https://bit.ly/4xcU22o.
