Can HK Associations Start a New Chapter on the Mainland? In-Depth Analysis and Discussion

Can Hong Kong Associations Unlock a New Chapter on the Mainland? An In-Depth Analysis

In recent years, with the continuous advancement of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area initiative and the central government’s increasing support for the Hong Kong and Macao regions, Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center and trade hub has once again drawn widespread attention. At the same time, various Hong Kong-based civic organizations and industry associations have gradually turned their focus toward the mainland market, aiming to leverage their strengths on a broader stage and expand their development opportunities. Among them, the concept of Hong Kong associations has increasingly entered public discourse, raising questions about whether these entities possess the capability and conditions to open a new chapter of growth on the mainland - a topic now at the heart of industry discussions.

I. Positioning and Current Development of Hong Kong Associations

Generally speaking, Hong Kong associations refer to non-profit organizations voluntarily established by local businesses, professionals, or industry groups. Their primary objectives include promoting industry development, facilitating collaboration and exchanges, and safeguarding members’ interests. These associations wield significant influence across multiple sectors such as financial services, technological innovation, legal services, and cultural and creative industries. For example, organizations like the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong Federation of Industries, and the Hong Kong Law Society have long served local enterprises while also playing important roles in regional cooperation.

However, amid global economic shifts - particularly the restructuring of international supply chains after the pandemic - Hong Kong's traditional economic model faces growing challenges. Against this backdrop, many associations are exploring ways to transcend geographical constraints and pursue more diversified development paths. The mainland, with its vast market potential, robust infrastructure, and favorable policy environment, naturally emerges as a promising blue ocean for these associations.

II. Policy Support Paves the Way Northward

In recent years, the central government has placed great emphasis on integrating Hong Kong and Macao into national development. A series of supportive policies have been introduced. The 2025 Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area explicitly called for deepening cooperation mechanisms between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, encouraging professional service providers and industry associations to enhance communication and coordination.

Likewise, the 2025 State Council document on promoting high-quality development reiterated the direction of supporting Hong Kong’s professional services sector in entering the mainland market. Taking legal services as an example, under the latest policy adjustments, qualified Hong Kong lawyers can now pilot representation in certain civil and commercial cases within the Greater Bay Area - a move that undoubtedly opens up new business expansion opportunities for related associations.

Beyond law, areas such as technology transfer, financial innovation, and cultural and creative industries offer rich prospects for collaboration between Hong Kong associations and mainland entities.

III. Challenges and Opportunities Coexist

Despite the promising outlook, Hong Kong associations face several practical challenges when expanding into the mainland market.

First is the issue of institutional adaptation. Significant differences exist between Hong Kong and the mainland in terms of legal systems, administrative management, and market access. To successfully establish themselves on the mainland, associations must thoroughly understand local policies and adjust their operational models accordingly.

Second, competition in the mainland market is intensifying. Domestic professional institutions and industry associations have developed mature operating mechanisms and stable client bases over decades. For Hong Kong associations to stand out, they must not only highlight their unique advantages but also optimize service quality and cost efficiency.

Third, talent mobility remains a key bottleneck. Although the central government has gradually relaxed restrictions on Hong Kong professionals practicing on the mainland, obstacles still exist in areas such as visa processing, professional qualification recognition, and tax compliance. These issues pose higher demands on associations' talent recruitment and team-building capabilities.

IV. Success Stories From Bridgeheads to Deep Diversions

Despite the challenges, some Hong Kong associations have already achieved initial success on the mainland, demonstrating strong developmental potential.

For instance, the Hong Kong Youth Entrepreneurship Association has actively encouraged young Hong Kong entrepreneurs to intern and start businesses on the mainland. It has established service centers in cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou, helping startups connect with policy resources, financing channels, and market platforms. According to media reports, in the first half of 2025 alone, over a thousand Hong Kong youths secured internship opportunities through the association’s platform, with some projects successfully incubated.

Another notable case is the Hong Kong FinTech Association, which has formed partnerships with financial regulators in Shenzhen’s Qianhai and Guangzhou’s Nansha. The association regularly organizes cross-border fintech forums, promoting mutual recognition of technical standards and collaborative projects. This model combining official guidance with grassroots participation is widely regarded as a successful approach.

V. Outlook Integration Is Not One-Way Export, But Mutual Empowerment

For Hong Kong associations to achieve sustainable development on the mainland, merely replicating past models will not suffice. Instead, they must emphasize localization and synergy. On one hand, they need to deeply understand mainland market needs and flexibly adapt their services; on the other, they should actively introduce Hong Kong’s experience in international perspectives, compliance management, and financial services to better support mainland enterprises going global.

Moreover, with the rapid advancement of digital technologies, online platforms will become critical tools for associations in connecting resources between the two regions. By building digital service platforms, associations can improve efficiency, expand reach, and attract more small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs to participate.

Overall, although the development of Hong Kong associations on the mainland is still in its early stages, the underlying potential is immense. As long as they identify their positioning accurately and align with the trends of the times, there is every reason to believe that Hong Kong associations can play an increasingly significant role in the new era of integration - writing a new chapter uniquely their own.