Guangzhou Hosts IP Go-Global Business Matching Event to Boost Guangdong-Hong Kong Intellectual Property Collaboration

The IP Go-Global Business Matching Session was held on June 26, 2026, at Science City in Guangzhou. This event was jointly organised by the Intellectual Property Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation (Guangdong Intellectual Property Administration). Co-organisers included the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Intellectual Property Office of Guangzhou Development District, with support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong.

The session arranged approximately 50 one-to-one business matching meetings between Guangdong enterprises and Hong Kong intellectual property (IP) service providers. It also featured a networking luncheon and a thematic seminar, attracting over 150 industry participants. The initiative aimed to assist Mainland Chinese enterprises in expanding into international markets by leveraging Hong Kong as their primary launchpad. It also sought to enhance Guangdong-Hong Kong collaboration in the IP sector and strengthen global competitiveness.

This event builds on the success of the 15th Business of IP Asia Forum held in December 2025, where a dedicated “IP Go-Global Business Matching Session” was first hosted. It forms a key initiative under the Guangdong-Hong Kong cooperation framework, further reinforcing Hong Kong’s unique role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” in national development.

Peter Wong, Regional Director of Southern China for the HKTDC, highlighted the strategic importance of the event. He stated, “Against the backdrop of the country’s proactive promotion of expansion and its emphasis on high-quality development under the 15th Five-Year Plan, enterprises in Guangdong are actively expanding into overseas markets, driving sustained demand for internationally oriented IP services—particularly in overseas IP protection and dispute resolution.” He added that Hong Kong’s legal and intellectual property system aligns with international standards and that its established professional services sector positions it to provide comprehensive support to Mainland enterprises. This support enables companies to protect innovations, mitigate operational risks, enhance competitiveness, and achieve global expansion.

David Wong, Director of Intellectual Property of the HKSAR Government, emphasized Hong Kong’s competitive advantages. He noted, “In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, Hong Kong's global competitiveness has risen to second globally. 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, and is 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 approximately 20 representatives from associations of IP practitioners participated, including the Asian Patent Attorneys Association Hong Kong Group (APAA), the Hong Kong Chinese Patent Attorneys Association (HKCPAA), the Hong Kong Institute of Patent Practitioners Ltd (HIPP), the Hong Kong Institute of Trade Mark Practitioners (HKITMP), and The Law Society of Hong Kong (Intellectual Property Committee). Their involvement underscored Hong Kong’s strengths in international legal and professional services and reinforced its role as a strategic platform for Mainland enterprises seeking global expansion.

The business matching sessions focused on aligning with the practical needs of Guangdong’s innovation & technology, cultural, and creative enterprises by promoting direct exchanges with Hong Kong’s IP service providers. This initiative aims to better understand Guangdong enterprises’ key needs in global expansion and to showcase Hong Kong’s diverse IP professional services. The arrangements are designed to establish a regular exchange and matching platform, strengthen cooperation in IP protection, utilisation, and services, promote regional innovation and industrial upgrading, and foster long-term partnerships.

The thematic seminar addressed critical 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 favourable business environment and relevant support policies, providing practical insights to help enterprises achieve steady growth amid a complex global landscape.

Looking ahead, the HKTDC plans to continue collaborating with stakeholders to promote cross-border exchange and cooperation platforms. It aims to 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 for international growth.

The HKTDC, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026, is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices worldwide, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a global investment and business hub. It organises international exhibitions, conferences, and business missions to create opportunities for companies, particularly SMEs, in Mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information through research reports and digital news channels.