A symposium featuring Zhejiang companies and Hong Kong financial institutes is held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province on April 2. [Photo/WeChat account: GAZE2016]

A new world of cooperation between Zhejiang and Hong Kong is being opened up as more financial platforms in the international financial center are reaching out to companies in the East China province.

It is estimated that more than 50 companies in Zhejiang including the Geely Group and the Greentown China Holdings Limited have gone public in Hong Kong.

InvestHK, Hong Kong's investment development agency, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited as well as various other financial institutes formulated plans for the global expansion of Zhejiang companies at a symposium in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang on April 2, pledging to help more companies in the province go global.

Gu Yunhui, chairman of Zhejiang Evergreen Environmental Sci & Tech Co Ltd, a high-technology enterprise specializing in environmental protection services, learned about the preferential policies for environmental protection enterprises who have the intention of going public in Hong Kong at the symposium.

Gu said it's not easy for Chinese environmental protection companies to stand out among steep international competition, but the financial services provided by Hong Kong would certainly make things easier.

"The financial platforms in Hong Kong may be able to serve as a stepping stone for our global strategy," said the chairman.

Representatives from renowned Zhejiang companies such as Zhejiang Wanfeng Auto Holding Group asked various questions about investing in Hong Kong as well.

Stephen Phillips, director-general of InvestHK, said there are a wealth of business opportunities for Zhejiang companies in the countries and regions involved in China's Belt and Road Initiative and suggested that the province view Hong Kong as not only the home of many financial platforms but also a springboard to the world stage.

Zhejiang New Century Hotel Management Co Ltd goes public at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, a leading international financial market operator, on March 11. [Photo/IC]

Zhejiang and Hong Kong have had friendly business ties for years. Hong Kong is the province's largest outward investment destination and the largest source of foreign investment in Zhejiang.

By the end of 2018, Zhejiang had set up 2,177 companies with a total investment of $23.13 billion in Hong Kong while the number of investment projects in Zhejiang funded by Hong Kong capital had reached 26,040.