The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area sets out the direction to formulate liberalisation measures for expanding the scope of mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong/Macao, with the aim of facilitating the cross-boundary practice for professionals. As an international metropolis, Hong Kong has a robust demand for construction professionals given the Government’s unwavering drive for infrastructure development. We warmly welcome talents from around the globe to pursue careers in Hong Kong. Professional qualifications serve as a testament to individuals’ technical competence in delivering specialised work. To enhance the mobility of talents, it is essential to explore avenues for aligning the professional qualifications between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong.

The Development Bureau has published an article titled “Study on the Alignment of Professional Qualifications in the Construction and Engineering Sectors between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland” in the 4^th issue of the Hong Kong and Macao Journal in 2025. The study systematically analyses the differences between the professional qualification systems of Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, reviews and summarises the existing alignment mechanisms for professional qualifications between the two places, and discusses the effectiveness and interrelationship among different mechanisms. By examining these practices, it aims to evaluate the key factors influencing the alignment of rules and make suggestions for the way forward. We hope that this study can provide practical insights for future endeavours, thereby laying a solid foundation for enabling Hong Kong to better integrate into and contribute to national development by fully leveraging our unique advantages of having connections to both the Mainland and the world under “one country, two systems”.

The “Hong Kong and Macao Journal” is a comprehensive academic periodical in the realm of Hong Kong and Macao studies, targeting both local and overseas readers. Under the supervision of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and published by its Institute of Hong Kong and Macao, this journal aims to establish a platform for Hong Kong and Macao experts to exchange views and contribute ideas related to the practice of the “one country, two systems” policy as well as Hong Kong and Macao affairs.