Hong Kong must seek sister cities to truly benefit from ‘One Belt, One Road’

Law Cheung-kwok and Ip Ka-chai say a twinning strategy and more trade offices along the belt and road would help the city shine brighter on the global stage

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Hong Kong has brought in many economic benefits for China, and must now develop a strategy to take that edge further. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 2:21pm, 30 Nov 2016Updated: 7:30pm, 30 Nov 2016

As an international city, Hong Kong has contributed much to China’s development since the nation’s opening up. And it will continue to play an important role, through the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. The local government should seek to boost Hong Kong’s importance with a “sister city” or twinning strategy, and by opening more economic and trade offices around the world.

The “sister city” programme originated in Europe after the second world war. According to Sister Cities International, it is a long-term cooperative relationship between two cities in different countries in the fields of culture, education, trade and technology, as well as specific industries and projects, resulting in considerable economic benefits. Nowadays, this communication and cooperation platform can generate billions of dollars annually in direct and indirect economic benefits.

Fishing boats near the Suramadu bridge that links Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, to Madura island off Java. Surabaya could be a potential sister city for Hong Kong, as their economic structures are similar. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong trade presence needed in ‘One Belt, One Road’ cities

Major cities like London, Chicago, Tokyo and Beijing have twins. The Hong Kong government should develop longer-term and closer cooperation with selected cities to promote economic and trade activities in a globalised world, develop new industries, and so demonstrate its soft power.

Cities to consider include Munich and Berlin in Germany, as well as Daejeon and Busan in Korea

In order to develop innovative technology, and cultural and creative industries, cities to consider include Munich and Berlin in Germany, as well as Daejeon and Busan in Korea.

To capture opportunities from the belt and road initiative, sister-city partnerships with Surabaya in Indonesia and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates should be considered. Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, is its largest economic driver in terms of growth potential, with an economic structure similar to that of Hong Kong. Dubai, meanwhile, has successfully attracted foreign investment with its diversified economic structure. It is also the largest export market for Hong Kong in the Middle East.

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam, accompanied by Sichuan government officials, visits the booth of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu, where ETO director Danny Lau (right) explains the displays, on May 12. Photo: SCMP Pictures

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With more than 60 nations along its route, the belt and road will have a major global impact in the coming decades. Hong Kong’s network of Economic Trade Offices covers just 22 nations along the route, with zero coverage in South and Central Asia, West Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.