80% of mainland Chinese firms eye Hong Kong as launch pad for Asean expansion

More than 90 per cent of mainland Chinese enterprises plan to expand overseas within the next two years, with over 80 per cent aiming to use Hong Kong as their launch pad into Southeast Asia, a survey has found.

The research findings, published by the Trade Development Council on Wednesday, indicate that mainland firms are actively pursuing diversified footprints across Asean markets.

The survey, conducted from January to February 2026, polled more than 2,000 mainland Chinese companies across various sectors, including manufacturing and services.

“Asean has become a priority destination for mainland enterprises pursuing international growth. Companies are not only looking to expand their sales networks, but also establishing regional supply chains, investing in higher value-added activities and exploring opportunities in emerging sectors, such as AI [artificial intelligence], semiconductors and new energy,” said Bruce Pang, the council’s director of research.

According to the survey, 91 per cent of respondents plan to develop business in Asean markets, highlighting the region’s growing importance.

The 11 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and East Timor.

Pang said that among Asean markets, Malaysia was attracting significant interest from mainland enterprises, ranking as a leading destination for both manufacturing and service companies seeking to expand regional operations.