In a luncheon speech at the 2026 Global Healthcare Summit co-hosted by New Frontier Group and Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC), Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Leung Chun-ying highlighted Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" between Mainland China and the rest of the world.
Leung posed a rhetorical question: "Why does Hong Kong have so many office buildings? These buildings host Hong Kong's financial, trade, and service sectors, and their clients are not just local." He elaborated with data, noting that the financial industry accounts for about 25% of Hong Kong's GDP, while trade-related sectors contribute roughly 20%. "Why is Hong Kong's total trade volume about three times its GDP? Because Hong Kong conducts trade on behalf of third parties," he said.
Leung argued that this logic could be extended to the healthcare sector. "If we apply this model to healthcare, Hong Kong has the opportunity to act as a bridge, connecting global supply with Chinese demand, and simultaneously linking Chinese supply with global demand. This is not a fantasy but a long-term goal, and we are just at the beginning."
He specifically highlighted the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Greater Bay Area Clinical Research Center in Guangzhou's Nansha District. Established in July 2026, the center is a tripartite collaboration between CUHK, the Nansha District Government, and Guangzhou First People's Hospital. It is the first international clinical research center in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, aiming to set a benchmark for cross-border clinical research cooperation.
Leung believes the center's value lies in creating a channel for Hong Kong and overseas medical innovations to enter the Chinese mainland. In Nansha, the center can conduct large-scale R&D, certification, and clinical pilot applications, while also providing affordable high-end medical services for overseas patients.
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