Zhongshan has been trying to develop a more internationalized, legalized, convenient business environment.[Photo by Li Xusheng]

By the end of 2018, the number of foreign-funded enterprises in Zhongshan hit another record high at 4,655. This figure is an increase of 11.98% compared to the figure of the same period in 2017, according to the Zhongshan Commerce Bureau and the Zhongshan Administration for Market Regulation. The city added 724 foreign-invested companies in 2018, and most of these were from Hong Kong or countries involved in the Belt and Road initiative.

Zhang Guanghan, an official representative of the Examination and Approval Office of the Zhongshan Commerce Bureau, stated that Hong Kong was still the top source of foreign investment in 2018. In fact, Hong Kong's investment totaled $153 million, and accounted for 29.04% of the total amount. This was followed by the British Virgin Islands, Singapore, Samoa, and Macao.

"As an important pillar of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Zhongshan is endowed with natural advantages Hong Kong and Macao investors find attractive," said Zhan Zuping, an associate professor of economics from the Party School of Zhongshan Committee of CPC. Owing especially to the opening of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the construction of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Channel, an increasing number of Hong Kong investors have started to turn their eyes towards Zhongshan. Zhongshan's high-end industries have been seen as particularly attractive investment targets.