Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)

The Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) is the first free trade agreement ever concluded by the Mainland of China and Hong Kong. The main text of CEPA was signed on 29 June 2003.

CEPA adopts a building block approach, and the two sides have been working closely to introduce further liberalisation measures continually. The agreed liberalisation measures for various phases of CEPA are stipulated in the CEPA Legal Text.

CEPA is a win-win agreement embodying the close relationship of strength complementarity and joint development between the Mainland and Hong Kong. It brings new business opportunities to the Mainland, Hong Kong and all foreign investors. For Hong Kong, CEPA provides a window of opportunity for Hong Kong businesses to gain greater access to the Mainland market. CEPA also benefits the Mainland as Hong Kong serves as a perfect "springboard" for Mainland enterprises to reach out to the global market and accelerating the Mainland's full integration with the world economy. Foreign investors are welcome to establish businesses in Hong Kong to leverage on the CEPA benefits and join hands in tapping the vast opportunities of the Mainland market.