Mainland Firms Use Hong Kong as Global Expansion Base, Deloitte Says

Nearly 80% of Chinese mainland companies are using Hong Kong as a base for overseas expansion, Deloitte China said, highlighting the city’s role as a gateway for outbound growth.

The findings were released alongside a new “going global” handbook and the launch of a dedicated task force in Hong Kong to support mainland firms expanding overseas.

Deloitte noted that mainland firms use Hong Kong not only for financing needs but also for international management, governance and partnership building.

The trend is shifting from simple product exports toward broader value-chain expansion, with companies taking technology, brands and management expertise overseas and branching into advanced manufacturing, the digital economy, healthcare, green energy and artificial intelligence.

China’s outward direct investment exceeded USD190bn in 2024, up more than 8% year on year, Deloitte added, with investment into ASEAN countries rising nearly 40% and into Belt and Road markets increasing by more than 20%.