IN BRIEF

Hong Kong

HK hosts GBA AI summit, enhances talent attraction

More than 1,000 industry practitioners discussed the latest developments in artificial intelligence, robotics and their applications in key sectors, such as manufacturing and healthcare, at the GBA International Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Summit held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Nov 21.

In Shenzhen, the Hong Kong Talent Engage Office set up a stand for the first time at the second national conference on the development of human resources services on Nov 22 and 23, to introduce the SAR's talent attraction programs and workplace culture to a wide range of job seekers. During the conference, 294 deals on cooperation in human resources services were signed. The agreements had a projected value of 20.7 billion yuan ($2.91 billion).

Macao

Mutual recognition of drivers' licenses to lift visits

More than 31,470 permanent residents in the Macao Special Administrative Region have so far obtained Chinese mainland drivers' licenses via the driving license mutual recognition program, which was implemented on May 16.

The program enables mainland and Macao motorists holding valid drivers' licenses issued by the authorities to obtain mutually recognized driving permits without having to undergo additional tests.

The Macao SAR government believes the program, which is expected to benefit about 200,000 eligible Macao permanent residents, will promote tourism and family visits between the mainland and Macao.

Guangzhou

City plans first urban village renovations regulation

Guangzhou is drafting a local regulation to clarify the objectives, process, compensation of land expropriation as well as government responsibilities involved in urban village renovations.

The regulation - the first of its kind on the Chinese mainland - will be put to the vote in the Guangdong provincial capital's municipal legislature later this month. It stipulates that renovations can only begin with the consent of two-thirds of the villagers involved, and compensation for expropriation of collective land should be made before they're relocated. Experts said the legislation will speed up urban village renovations and improve the living environment of residents.

Shenzhen

Relaxed housing policies give property market a boost

Shenzhen's residential property market has reacted positively to the city's latest housing policies that make it easier for residents to buy homes.

According to Centaline Property's research center in Shenzhen, inquiries for lived-in homes on the platform surged by 98 percent on the day the new policies were launched, compared to the day before, while the number of viewings of secondary homes rose by 15 percent.

The Shenzhen authorities eased housing policies last week by lowering the down payment ratio for second home purchases to 40 percent - down from up to 80 percent. Residential homes valued at more than 7.5 million yuan ($1.05 million) will no longer be subject to a "luxury housing" tax.

Zhuhai

Hengqin residential project opens for registration

The Macao New Neighborhood Hengqin - a major residential project in Zhuhai's Hengqin cooperation zone aimed at providing new homes for residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region - is now open for registration. Macao residents aged 18 or above with one residential property at most in the SAR and no residential units in Zhuhai are entitled to register.

The project, which covers school, medical, elderly care and family services, aims to create a livable environment for Macao residents. An 88-square-meter, two-bedroom unit will cost between 2.41 million yuan ($338,884) and 2.63 million yuan, while the price of a 118-square-meter, three-bedroom apartment ranges from 3.53 million yuan to 3.71 million yuan.

Foshan

Companies in bid to enhance economic ties with ASEAN

More than 140 Foshan companies promoted their products for consumers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations through a livestreaming campaign on an overseas platform at the 5th China Trade Fair Indonesia 2023 held in Jakarta on Nov 23. The promotion attracted 200,000 viewers and garnered 600,000 "likes" on the first day.

The campaign was part of Fo-shan's push to tap emerging markets and strengthen economic and trade cooperation, especially with the 10 member states of ASEAN - Foshan's largest trading partner.

Huizhou

City tops Guangdong in air quality for first 10 months

Huizhou's air quality ranked 4th among 168 key cities on the Chinese mainland for the first 10 months of this year, tying with Huangshan, in Anhui province, according to a report by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment on Nov 20.

The top three cities with the best air quality were Lhasa, in the Xizang autonomous region; Haikou, in Hainan province; and Zhoushan, in Zhejiang province.

Huizhou recorded good and excellent air quality on 98 percent of the days during the period, ranking first among cities in the Pearl River Delta.

Dongguan

Conference to explore growth in clothing industry

The Global Apparel Conference 2023 opened in Dongguan on Nov 17.

The event, themed "Together for a Shared Future", attracted international organizations, industry associations and companies from about 20 countries and regions, including Italy, France, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Through various activities, such as themed forums, the conference aimed to build a platform for the global clothing industry to communicate, cooperate and explore new growth drivers. Three subconferences, focusing on the innovation of clothing fabric, colors and brands, gave participants a better grasp of the opportunities in the world's clothing markets.

Zhongshan

First phase of Macao firm's industrial park completed

The first phase of a Macao-based company's artificial intelligence and robotics industrial park was topped out in Zhongshan's Cuiheng New District on Nov 26.

The park - an investment by Singou Technology, based in Macao - covers a total construction area of about 56,400 square meters. It will be developed into a research and manufacturing base for the AI, robotics and medical-device industries, housing pharmaceutical organizations, as well as leading research institutions, including the Macau University of Science and Technology.

Singou Technology signed nine cooperation deals with three companies from Zhongshan, Macao and Zhuhai at the topping-out ceremony.

Jiangmen

Regulations to promote cultural exchanges

A package of regulations on promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation with overseas Chinese and Chinese nationals was passed in Jiangmen on Nov 23. It's the nation's first local decree dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and collaboration with the overseas-Chinese community.

Comprising five chapters and 25 articles, the regulations provide guidance on protecting and utilizing cultural resources, and establishing platforms for cultural exchange and cooperation. Cultural activities and related promotion efforts in Jiangmen involving compatriots from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions can be carried out in accordance with the regulations.

Zhaoqing

Zhaoqing ranks 93rd in foreign-trade push

Zhaoqing was listed 93rd among Chinese mainland cities in terms of competitiveness in foreign trade, according to rankings published in China Customs magazine, which is sponsored by the General Administration of Customs. The position reflects Zhaoqing's strengths in exporting products and services. The city's total import-and-export volume last year exceeded 38.57 billion yuan ($5.43 billion).

Meanwhile, a 110-kilovolt substation in the city's Gaoyao district has begun operations, marking the debut of China Southern Power Grid's first "fluorine-free, low-carbon" substation. The project greatly reduces the usage of sulfur hexafluoride gas and ensures zero greenhouse gas emissions.