Hong Kong’s Largest Labor Union Proposes Key Initiatives for Greater Bay Area Integration

Hong Kong’s largest labor union, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU), is set to advise the central government on extending the multiple-entry visit policy to Guangzhou. This move aims to further promote Hong Kong-mainland cooperation in vocational training and the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). These proposals are part of a broader set of 22 motions, proposals, and suggestions that the FTU will submit during the upcoming national two sessions — the annual meetings of the nation’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC), and the country’s top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The CPPCC and NPC gatherings will commence in Beijing on March 4 and 5, respectively.

In a recent news briefing, the FTU introduced the 22 proposals, which aim to facilitate Hong Kong’s integration into the national blueprint and its participation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Greater Bay Area is a strategic initiative that aims to create a world-class city cluster, similar to the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States, fostering economic growth and innovation.

Expanding the mainland’s multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme to more mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area was proposed by FTU President Stanley Ng Chau-pei, who is also a Hong Kong delegate to the NPC National Committee. Ng emphasized the importance of this policy, stating, This policy will ultimately benefit residents of all cities within the Greater Bay Area and inject more momentum into Hong Kong’s tourism industry.

The policy, which was reinstated for Shenzhen residents in December, grants an unlimited number of visits to Hong Kong, with each stay capped at one week. According to the National Immigration Administration, 299,000 multiple-visit endorsements were issued between December 1 and January 14, with about 1.04 million Shenzhen residents visiting Hong Kong during this period — a 22.3 percent increase compared with the same period the previous year.

Ng suggested testing the program with residents with Guangzhou household registrations, followed by a gradual extension to residents holding residential permits in Guangzhou. This approach mirrors the gradual expansion of the Visa Waiver Program in the United States, which has successfully increased tourism and economic activity in participating regions.

The union will also propose establishing a cooperative research and development center for the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry in the Hetao cooperation zone — an innovation powerhouse on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen border. This center will involve healthcare departments, educational institutions, pharmaceutical groups, and others to accelerate high-quality TCM development and leverage Hong Kong’s unique position as a superconnector. This initiative is reminiscent of the collaborative efforts seen in the U.S. biotech industry, where public-private partnerships have driven significant advancements in medical research.

FTU Chairman Kingsley Wong Kwok, who is also a member of the CPPCC National Committee, said his proposal will focus on the implementation of the Overall Plan for Deepening Globally Oriented Comprehensive Co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao in Nansha of Guangzhou (Nansha Plan). Unveiled by the State Council in June 2022, the Nansha Plan aims to elevate Nansha as a strategic hub for Hong Kong’s integration into national development strategies.

Wong’s proposal includes establishing a regional vocational training school and internship base in Nansha to foster new quality productive forces, as well as setting up assistance mechanisms to help Hong Kong residents in the mainland during times of need. This aligns with the U.S. focus on workforce development and vocational training, which has been a cornerstone of economic policy in recent years.

Ma Kwong-yu, FTU’s general secretary and a CPPCC National Committee member, hopes the nine mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area launch a uniform transport card to provide discounts for Hong Kong elderly who travel there for short terms. She also proposed setting up a platform that allows Hong Kong professionals to upload their qualifications so that they can be found by mainland enterprises with corresponding needs. This initiative mirrors the U.S. approach to streamlining professional credentialing and licensing, which has been a key focus of recent legislative efforts.

The FTU proposes enhancing the supervision and management of labor importation agencies to protect mainland construction workers from being exploited during their time working in Hong Kong. Additionally, the FTU suggested establishing registration for imported mainland construction workers, which should be overseen by unions in both regions and allow the mutual sharing of information to better resolve cross-boundary labor disputes. This proposal echoes the U.S. focus on worker protections and labor rights, which have been at the forefront of recent policy discussions.

As the Greater Bay Area continues to evolve, these proposals from the FTU highlight the importance of cross-border cooperation and integration. By leveraging the strengths of both Hong Kong and mainland China, the region can drive economic growth, innovation, and improved quality of life for its residents. The initiatives proposed by the FTU are a testament to the region’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and interconnected future.