Huzhou holds a city promotional conference titled "Discover Beautiful China in Huzhou" in Hong Kong on the afternoon of March 15. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu] 

Huzhou held a city promotional conference titled "Discover Beautiful China in Huzhou" in Hong Kong on the afternoon of March 15, with the intention of strengthening its ties with the special administrative region.

The event saw the participation of distinguished figures, including Chan Pak Li, under secretary of the Business and Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR government, and Chen Hao, secretary of the Huzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, both of whom delivered keynote addresses.

Chan Pak Li warmly welcomed Huzhou's decision to host the city promotion event in Hong Kong, emphasizing Huzhou's strategic location in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta, its remarkable ecological beauty, rich cultural heritage, and the positive trajectory evident across its economic and societal domains.

He also highlighted the increasingly close ties between Hong Kong and Huzhou in finance, trade, culture, and tourism, expressing optimism that the successful hosting of this city promotion event would mark the beginning of a new phase, paving the way for more joint achievements between the two places. 

Chen Hao, representing Huzhou, extended a warm welcome to the guests present at the event and conveyed gratitude for their enduring care and support for Huzhou's ongoing reform and development.

Drawing attention to the historical bond between Huzhou and Hong Kong, he likened the two cities to pearls — Huzhou as the "Pearl of Taihu Lake" and Hong Kong as the "Pearl of the East".

Despite being over 1,300 kilometers apart, the cities have shared an unbreakable connection. Chen underscored the historical trade relationship, citing the export of silk from Huzhou through Hong Kong over 180 years ago. He also highlighted the significant presence of over 3,000 Huzhou natives in Hong Kong and more than 520 companies backed by Hong Kong investments in Huzhou.

Chen provided a comprehensive overview of Huzhou's current development and extended an invitation to the people of Hong Kong to explore Huzhou, invest in the city, and collaborate in building a promising future together.