Press Conference Case Sharing: CUHK Faculty of Social Science Research Release Series – Department of Economics Research Release

Following the resumption of travel after the pandemic, it has become increasingly common for Hong Kong residents to travel and spend in Mainland China during holidays. Prof. SONG Zheng, Wei Lun Professor of Economics and the Department Head at the Department of Economics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and his research team have released findings from their study “Hong Kong Travelers in Mainland China: Scale, Destinations, and Expenditure Patterns”.

Through data analysis of the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the research found that Hong Kong residents’ expenditure in Mainland China has not crowded out their spending in Hong Kong. The study also obtained AlipayHK’s data model for further analysis, indicating that Hong Kong residents’ expenditure in Mainland China is primarily focused on life services, whereas in Hong Kong, it is concentrated in the retail and food & beverage sectors.

Marking the inauguration of CUHK Faculty of Social Science (FSSC) research release series, team Prologue is delighted to strategizing the press conference on the study “Hong Kong Travelers in Mainland China: Scale, Destinations, and Expenditure Patterns”. Moving forward, we will continue supporting CUHK FSSC in organizing subsequent media launches to regularly showcase research outcomes across diverse disciplines.

The press conference attracted 31 media outlets spanning Hong Kong and Mainland China, with coverage across local news, finance, investment, and feature sections. Journalists from Cantonese, English, and Mandarin language media generated over 210 coverages. Key local broadcasters attended included TVB, RTHK, CRHK, i-Cable, NowTV, and Phoenix TV. Meanwhile, CCTV, Xinhua News Agency, Securities Times under People’s Daily, among other major mainland media outlets attended and covered the research release.

Prof. Anthony FUNG, Dean of Social Science at CUHK (2nd right), Prof. SONG Zheng, Wei Lun Professor of Economics and the Department Head at the Department of Economics, CUHK (2nd left), Mr. Zhenhua LI, Executive Director of Ant Group Research Institute (1st left), Ms. Venetia LEE, CEO of AlipayHK (1st right)

“The Faculty of Social Science at CUHK is committed to bridging rigorous academic research with society and exploring various social phenomena and solutions with the public. Therefore, we conceived this research release series to regularly introduce our research findings from different departments and schools. This study on Hong Kong residents’ Mainland expenditure patterns by the Department of Economics marks the inaugural launch of the research release series. I firmly believe this topic is both timely and closely related to citizens’ wellbeing. It is my hope that the research can offer insights to everyone.” -- Prof. Anthony FUNG, Dean of Social Science at CUHK

Prof. Anthony FUNG, Dean of Social Science at CUHK

Research showed that Hong Kong residents’ consumption in Mainland China has gradually expanded beyond the Greater Bay Area and first-tier cities such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou, now reaching lower-tier cities within the Greater Bay Area (e.g., Zhongshan and Jiangmen) and even inland cities like Chongqing and Changsha. This reflects the growing integration of cross-border consumption markets. Driven by the surge in northbound travel among Hong Kong residents and the widespread adoption of convenient payment systems, significant consumption spillover effect is observed.

Official statistics indicated that the number of trips by Hong Kong residents to Mainland China last year had returned to pre-COVID levels, and the proportion of Hong Kong residents’ expenditure outside Hong Kong in total expenditure remains similar before and after the pandemic. It reveals that Hong Kong residents’ spending in Mainland China has not crowded out their expenditure in Hong Kong. Prof. SONG Zheng, Wei Lun Professor of Economics and the Department Head at the Department of Economics, CUHK, pointed out that, “Contrary to public perception, government data reflects that Hong Kong residents’ Mainland consumption has not crowded out their local consumption.”

Furthermore, data analysis revealed AlipayHK users’ distinct differences in consumption patterns between Mainland China and Hong Kong.

“Our analysis of e-wallet user data model shows that the service sector accounts for nearly half of Hong Kong residents’ Mainland expenditure, which is distinctly different from their local consumption patterns. This suggests Hong Kong’s service sector faces pressures that warrant government attention and specific policy support for the sector and related workers. Furthermore, following the cross-border market integration, Mainland China services have become an important part of Hong Kong residents’ consumption choices, expanding from previously concentrated areas in the Greater Bay Area and first-tier cities to nationwide coverage.” -- Prof. SONG Zheng, Wei Lun Professor of Economics and the Department Head at the Department of Economics, CUHK

Prof. SONG Zheng, Wei Lun Professor of Economics and the Department Head at the Department of Economics, CUHK

This research is supported by Ant Group Research Institute and AlipayHK, with their provision of data model. Their representatives were invited to attend the press conference and share their observations.

Ms. Venetia LEE, CEO of AlipayHK

Mr. Zhenhua LI, Executive Director of Ant Group Research Institute

Prof. Song concluded that the Department of Economics at CUHK is dedicated to deepening cooperation with all sectors of society, including collecting research data to explore issues of social interest. The department hopes that academic research findings can serve as a reference for policymakers and stakeholders in society, enabling the joint exploration of solutions to boost the economy and citizens’ wellbeing.

A total of 31 media outlets attended the press conference, resulting in over 210 media coverage.

Selected Media Coverage:

• TVB Pearl - CUHK: Hongkongers' travels up north did not mean less local spending in retail and catering [Link]

• NowTV - 港人北上消費模式　中大研究指有到大灣區以外城市消費趨勢 [Link]

• 有綫新聞i-CABLE - 研究指港人北上消費以服務業為主　由大灣區擴展至長沙、重慶等地 [Link]

• 新華社 Xinhua - 港中文发布报告：港人内地消费区域更广 消费市场日渐一体化 [Link]

• 廣州廣播電視台 GZBN - 香港市民北上消费区域扩大 跨境市场加速融合 [Link]

• 證券時報 Securities Times - 香港中文大学报告：港人北上不挤压其本地消费 [Link]

• 21世紀經濟報道 21st Century Business Herald - 香港中文大学教授宋铮：港人“北上”并未挤占香港本地消费 [Link]

• 南方都市報 Southern Metropolis Daily - 港人消费新趋势：湾区日常消费类别互补，支付便利拓旅行足迹 [Link]

• 香港電台RTHK - 中大研究稱港人北上消費次數回復至疫前水平　未減少本地消費 [Link]

• 商業電台 Commercial Radio - 調查：港人北上擴至大灣區低線城市　消費多為服務業 [Link]

• 文匯報 Wen Wei Po - 港人北上消費對本地零售影響微 [Link]

• 明報 Ming Pao- 中大研究：港人北上無擠壓本地消費 [Link]

• 香港經濟日報  HKET - 北上消費｜中大分析統計處和AlipayHK數據模型：港人北上消費無擠壓本土消費　[Link]

• 東方日報 Oriental Daily News - 學者：港人北上無礙本地消費 [Link]

• 經濟一週 EDigest - 原來唔太關事︳中大研究：「港人北上消費並不是影響本地消費的主因」港人內地消費近半是服務業 [Link]

• 獨立媒體 inmedia - 中大研究指港人北上潮對本地消費影響不大 學者：只是回歸常態 [Link]