Chongqing- On October 9, Yuan Jiajun, Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, hosted a meeting with Ben Keswick, the Executive Chairman of Jardine Matheson, to deepen cooperation in the city's construction of international consumption center city, urban renewal, and expansion in the global market.

Yuan Jiajun (right), Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, met with Ben Keswick (left),  the Executive Chairman of Jardine Matheson, on October 9. (Photo/ Su Si)

Yuan warmly welcomed Keswick and his team, expressing gratitude to Jardine Matheson for their unwavering support for Chongqing's progress. As Chongqing steers its commitment towards national initiatives such as the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, Yuan highlighted the vast potential for Hong Kong-based enterprises in Chongqing.

"We envision enhanced bilateral ties, leveraging our collective strengths, to foster development in areas such as international consumption center city, urban renewal, and expanding our reach in the international market," Yuan said.

"The longstanding relationship between Chongqing and Jardine Matheson underscores our commitment," said Keswick. "We are excited to harness our strengths, amalgamate our resources, and play an instrumental role in Chongqing's qualitative growth."

Keswick thinks Chongqing is an open and enterprising city, and Jardine Matheson will further strengthen its confidence in investing in Chongqing.

The Hong Kong-based Jardine Matheson has a diversified business footprint, spanning sectors such as engineering, real estate, retail, and hospitality, primarily centered in Asia.

The enterprise's expansive portfolio includes illustrious brands like Hongkong Land, Dairy Farm, and Mandarin Oriental. Hongkong Land stands as a titan in property development across Asia, while Dairy Farm manages renowned retail chains, including Ikea and 7-Eleven. Mandarin Oriental, a global luxury hospitality brand, operates over 40 resorts worldwide.

In 2004, Hongkong Land made its mark in Chongqing, setting a strong foundation. Fast forward to March 26, 2023, Hongkong Land and China Resources Land initiated the Chongqing Central Mixc project with an investment of 6.8 billion yuan (about 1 billion U.S. dollars). 

This joint venture aims to become Chongqing's leading high-end commercial hub, valued at over ten billion. It is nestled in Jiangbei District, a pivotal area of the international consumption center.