The IP Go-Global Business Matching Session, jointly organized by the Intellectual Property Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation, was held today at Science City in Guangzhou. The event arranged approximately 50 one-to-one business matching meetings between Guangdong enterprises and Hong Kong intellectual property (IP) service providers, alongside a networking luncheon and thematic seminar that attracted over 150 industry participants. The initiative aims to help Chinese Mainland enterprises expand into international markets by leveraging Hong Kong as their primary launchpad, enhancing Guangdong-Hong Kong collaboration in the IP field, and strengthening global competitiveness.
Building on the success of the 15th Business of IP Asia Forum held in December 2025, this event serves as a key initiative under the Guangdong-Hong Kong cooperation framework. It reinforces Hong Kong’s unique role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” in overall national development. Peter Wong, HKTDC’s Regional Director of Southern China, emphasized that against the backdrop of the country’s proactive promotion of expansion and high-quality development under the 15th Five-Year Plan, Guangdong enterprises are actively expanding into overseas markets. This drives sustained demand for internationally oriented IP services, particularly in overseas IP protection and dispute resolution. Hong Kong’s legal and intellectual property system aligns with international standards, positioning it to provide value-added, comprehensive support to Mainland enterprises.
David Wong, Director of Intellectual Property of the HKSAR Government, noted that in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, Hong Kong's global competitiveness rose to second globally. He highlighted that Hong Kong is equipped with the unique advantages of the “one country, two systems” principle, a sound common law system, an international business environment, and world-class professional services, making it an ideal platform for Mainland enterprises to expand into overseas markets.
The event brought together government representatives, enterprises, and IP professionals from both Guangdong and Hong Kong. A delegation of around 20 representatives nominated by associations of IP practitioners, including the Asian Patent Attorneys Association Hong Kong Group, the Hong Kong Chinese Patent Attorneys Association, the Hong Kong Institute of Patent Practitioners Ltd, the Hong Kong Institute of Trade Mark Practitioners, and The Law Society of Hong Kong (Intellectual Property Committee), participated. Their involvement highlights Hong Kong’s strengths in international legal and professional services.
The business matching sessions focused on aligning with practical needs, promoting direct exchanges between Guangdong’s innovation & technology and cultural and creative enterprises and Hong Kong’s IP service providers. The initiative serves a dual purpose: to better understand the key needs of Guangdong enterprises in their global expansion efforts and to showcase Hong Kong’s diverse IP professional services. The arrangements are designed to enhance collaboration outcomes by establishing a regular exchange and matching platform, strengthening cooperation in IP protection, utilization, and services, and promoting regional innovation and industrial upgrading.
The thematic seminar covered key issues related to global expansion, including IP risk management, cross-border dispute resolution, global patent portfolio strategies, and international development approaches. It also introduced Hong Kong’s favorable business environment and relevant support policies, providing forward-looking and practical insights to help enterprises achieve steady growth amid a complex and evolving global landscape.
The HKTDC will continue to work closely with stakeholders to promote more cross-border exchange and cooperation platforms, facilitate complementary advantages between Hong Kong and the Mainland in professional services, further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a regional IP trading centre, and support enterprises in seizing opportunities and expanding internationally.
