🔥 Trending Hong Kong Jockey Club and Guangzhou Sign Agreement to Boost Horse Industry

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government signed a Deepened Collaboration Agreement on July 18, 2026, to further advance the equine industry's development in the region ²⁴⁵⁶⁷. This agreement marks a significant step in strengthening the ties between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, particularly in the context of the Greater Bay Area's development ¹³⁵.

Key Aspects of the Agreement

The collaboration focuses on several core areas, aiming to establish a comprehensive equine industry ecosystem:

1. "Guangzhou-Hong Kong Equine Industry Deep Cooperation Zone"

The agreement outlines the joint planning and construction of a "Guangzhou-Hong Kong Equine Industry Deep Cooperation Zone," with the goal of largely completing it by 2030 ³⁵. This zone will be centered around the Conghua Racecourse in Guangzhou ³⁴⁵.

2. World-Class Equine Events and Tourism

A primary objective is to leverage the Conghua Racecourse as a hub for world-class, equine-themed cultural, sports, and tourism activities ³⁴⁵. This includes promoting the hosting of international racing events ³. The HKJC has also submitted recommendations for Hong Kong's first plan, which includes a "Two Cities, Three Racecourses" tourism circuit spanning Hong Kong and Guangzhou, indicating a desire to integrate racing tourism across the region ¹⁸.

3. High-Quality Development of the Equine Industry

The collaboration aims to promote the high-quality development of the equine industry within the Greater Bay Area ³⁵⁶. This encompasses various aspects, from horse breeding and training to veterinary services and related industries.

4. Talent Training and Qualification Recognition

To support the growth of the equine industry, the agreement emphasizes strengthening talent training and mutual recognition of qualifications between Hong Kong and Guangzhou ³. This will help ensure a skilled workforce is available to support the expanding industry.

5. Regular Cooperation and Communication Mechanism

A regular cooperation and communication mechanism will be established between the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government and the HKJC to coordinate various tasks related to the Guangzhou-Hong Kong equine industry collaboration ². This mechanism will facilitate the smooth implementation of the agreement's objectives.

Context and Future Outlook

This deepened collaboration aligns with Guangzhou's 15th Five-Year Plan, which proposes advancing in-depth cooperation between the two sides ¹⁵. The partnership is seen as a crucial step in fostering innovation and integrated development within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area ⁵⁶⁷. By leveraging the expertise of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the resources of Guangzhou, the agreement seeks to create a vibrant and sustainable equine industry that contributes significantly to the region's economy and cultural landscape.