{
  "id": 1696499,
  "title": "'More mainland firms eye Belt and Road expansion'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/more-mainland-firms-eye-belt-and-road-expansion-1696499",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-18T10:45:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK News - Finance",
    "slug": "rthk-news-finance",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866603-20260818.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A growing number of mainland businesses are looking to expand in the Belt and Road region, according to a recent survey by the Trade Development Council (TDC). The survey of 2,015 companies found that 94 percent plan to tap into Belt and Road markets, up from 73 percent three years ago. Asean is the top priority for further expansion, with Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia leading the way. Hong Kong is the favored destination for overseas expansion, followed by mainland platforms and Singapore. TDC deputy director of research Wing Chu noted that many companies are using comprehensive strategies to diversify their markets, despite trade uncertainties having a minimal impact. The political environment between China and the US is improving, and it is expected that business uncertainty effects will become less significant in the future. Hong Kong's role as a \"super connector\" and \"super value-adder\" is well-suited to meet the growing demands of these companies, with support in areas such as financing, risk management, and ESG-related services. The upcoming Belt and Road Summit on September 9-10 will feature sessions on \"Advancing High-Quality Development, Embarking on a New Journey.\"",
  "summary": "A rising number of mainland companies are eyeing expansion in the Belt and Road region as the wave of enterprises \"going global\" entered a new phase, according to a survey. The Trade Development Council (TDC) surveyed 2,015 firms across the country and found that 94 percent revealed plans to tap into Belt and Road markets, up from 73 percent recorded three years ago. The TDC noted that 91 percent…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK News",
        "title": "'More mainland firms eye Belt and Road expansion'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/more-mainland-firms-eye-belt-and-road-expansion",
        "published": "2026-08-18T10:45:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}