The year 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Liaoning Liaison Unit of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Looking back on the days spent working in Liaoning, William P H Fung, Director of the Liaoning Liaison Unit of the Government of HKSAR, expressed deep sentiments. Serving as a bridge and link, the Liaoning Liaison Unit of the Government of HKSAR has continuously deepened exchanges and cooperation between Liaoning and Hong Kong over the past decade, yielding fruitful results. “I’ve witnessed firsthand the rapid development and changes in Liaoning, with its increasing prominence and reputation in Hong Kong,” Fung remarked.

Before coming to Liaoning, some friends in Hong Kong had told Fung that the weather in the country’s northeast is freezing. However, upon arrival, he found working and living in Liaoning to be “very warm”. “The people in Liaoning are straightforward and warm-hearted, and life here is vibrant. The provincial capital Shenyang boasts a rich cultural heritage, blending the classical with the modern. The ‘International Shenyang’ is full of vitality, and I quite enjoy it here,” Fung stated. “In recent years, cities in Liaoning have become more beautiful, where local people have enjoyed increasingly better living conditions and a growing number of cultural and tourism activities have been hosted, all demonstrating a positive trend of progress.”

Hong Kong and Liaoning have maintained a close economic and trade relationship. By the end of 2023, Hong Kong had accumulated 13,000 investment projects in Liaoning, with a total actual investment of 100 billion dollars, ranking as Liaoning Province’s top source of actual investment. “The Liaoning Liaison Unit of the Government of HKSAR has regularly organized economic and trade exchange seminars, providing a platform for Liaoning enterprises to invest and start businesses in Hong Kong. It has also invited Hong Kong enterprises to visit Liaoning and gain a deep understanding of Liaoning’s economic development and investment environment, promoting the economic and trade cooperation between Liaoning and Hong Kong to a higher level.” Fung explained.

Liaoning and Hong Kong have conducted cultural and educational cooperation and exchanges. “Artists from Liaoning performed with artistic groups in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Opera Hong Kong toured various cities in Liaoning, receiving enthusiastic responses.” Fung noted. “This year, we also held a special photo exhibition and a dedicated cultural performance to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Liaoning Liaison Unit of the Government of HKSAR, showcasing the fruitful achievements in economic, trade, cultural, youth, and talent exchanges between Liaoning and Hong Kong over the past decade.”

The potential for exchange and cooperation between Liaoning and Hong Kong is immense, with vast prospects ahead. “In the future, the Liaoning Liaison Unit of the Government of HKSAR will continue to promote exchanges and cooperation between Liaoning and Hong Kong in various fields, facilitating the mutual prosperity of Liaoning and Hong Kong. Leveraging Hong Kong’s global connectivity advantage, we will join hands with Liaoning to tell China’s story to the world.” Fung concluded.