"On August 30, a major breakthrough was made in the connection project between the East and West Artificial Islands of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge. We should accelerate the pace of our project," said Chung Yuk-man, executive director of Hong Kong-based company Melco International, also the investor of the Tsuihang New District Cultural Tourism Eco-city.

With smooth progress in the construction of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge, Hong Kong investors are actively seizing the opportunities brought by the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Shenzhen demonstration pilot zone for socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as the Hengqin and Qianhai cooperation zones. They are trying to settle down in Zhongshan and tap the Greater Bay Area and the national markets by setting up new projects, increasing investment or expanding production.

According to the Zhongshan Bureau of Commerce, from January to July this year, Zhongshan had approved 314 foreign-funded investment projects, up 36.52% year-on-year, and Hong Kong-invested projects accounted for 90% of the total. In July only, 45 Hong Kong-funded projects were approved.

At present, there are nearly 4,000 foreign-invested enterprises in Zhongshan. Over 70% are invested by Hong Kong companies engaging in such areas as manufacturing, information and finance, and they serve as an important driver of Zhongshan's economic and social development.