Dongguan City Image Exhibition opens in Hong Kong

The Dongguan City Image Exhibition and the promotional event "Weekend in Dongguan" officially launched on March 18 at the West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station. This initiative aims to showcase Dongguan's vibrant culture and lifestyle, inviting Hong Kong residents to explore the city and engage with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's dynamic community. The exhibition will run until April 18.

Situated in the cultural exhibition space on the L1 level of the West Kowloon station, visitors can experience a rich display of Dongguan's highlights. Organized by the Dongguan Municipal Government's Information Office and its Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the exhibition is divided into four sections: "Wonderful Dongguan," "Aesthetic Manufacturing in Dongguan," "Weekend in Dongguan," and "Dongguan: Capital of Trendy Toys." It features 48 photographic works, six travel itineraries for Hong Kong residents, and nearly 80 trendy toy products from Dongguan.

The event aims to highlight Dongguan's status as an international manufacturing hub and one of China's youngest cities, bursting with energy and contemporary flair. Through visual narratives, the exhibition invites attendees to traverse time and space, experiencing Dongguan's historical and cultural depth, youthful vitality, technological aesthetics, and poetic lifestyle. The event is also expected to synergize with the upcoming "Dongguan-Hong Kong Industry Cooperation Conference" in March and the "38th Hong Kong International Tourism Expo" in June, fostering cultural and tourism collaborations between the two cities.

Wu Yiting, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Dongguan Municipal Committee and head of the city's publicity department, extended an invitation to Hong Kong citizens, expressing hopes that more residents will take the train to Dongguan for a weekend Citywalk, immersing themselves in the Greater Bay Area's vibrant lifestyle.

In recent years, transportation links between Dongguan and Hong Kong have improved significantly, making Dongguan a new hotspot for Hong Kong residents. In 2024, Dongguan welcomed nearly 2 million visitors from Hong Kong, marking a 12.97 percent increase from the previous year. Capitalizing on its "one-hour living circle," Dongguan has launched the "Weekend in Dongguan" tourism brand, creating new consumption scenarios to attract more visitors from across the Greater Bay Area.

During the event, Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, shared his personal story of returning to Dongguan to trace his ancestral roots. He emphasized the shared heritage of Dongguan and Hong Kong and asserted that continued cooperation and mutual benefits would enhance their cultural tourism brand.

Zhang Dong, Director of the Asia Tourism Exchange Center, noted that the exhibition promotes the development of the respective tourism industries and serves as a platform for cultural exchange and collaboration between Dongguan and Hong Kong.

As the Greater Bay Area's "one-hour living circle" rapidly takes shape, Dongguan and Hong Kong are building a framework for cultural and economic collaboration. During the event, representatives from both regions witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Dongguan Tourism Association.

Ye Zufeng, Chairman of the Dongguan Trendy Toys Committee, presented trendy toys to He Ziyun, Executive Chairman of the Hong Kong Dongguan Community Association. Dongguan tourism association members also distributed cultural tourism gift packages to strengthen strategic partnerships between the two locations.

The event attracted many Dongguan natives residing in Hong Kong, fostering connections and discussions about mutual development. Yam Tat Wah, a Hong Kong artist and honorary president of the Dongguan Community Association, remarked that Dongguan is an excellent place for dragon boat racing, encouraging everyone to visit. Russian artist LELUSH (Li Luxiu), living in Dongguan, noted that the city is not just a good business hub but also a great place to live. Sun Weiyong, a National People's Congress representative and vice president of the Hong Kong Chinese Association, expressed confidence that this event would draw even more Hong Kong tourists to Dongguan, particularly as the city smartly navigates the trends of the "weekend economy" and "micro-vacations."