Most Chinese mainland firms eye entrance into ASEAN market: survey

HONG KONG, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Ninety-one percent of Chinese mainland companies surveyed by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) said they intend to establish their footprints in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, the HKTDC said on Tuesday.

The result came as Belt and Road partner countries at large continue to gain popularity as top global markets for Chinese firms. Ninety-four percent of the more than 2,000 companies surveyed said they want to extend outreach to these economies.

Among ASEAN countries, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia are each picked by over 40 percent of the respondents as potential markets, according to the survey.

Hong Kong is named by 83 percent of the respondents as the top provider of services for expanding global outreach, owing to its talent pool and strengths in marketing, accounting, financing and supply chain management.