Boosting consumption

In Hong Kong, through effective planning and marketing strategies, MTR has transformed station spaces into vibrant lifestyle hubs including retail, dining and diverse services, according to MTR. This approach not only enhances passengers' travel experiences but unlocks the value of railway passenger flow.

The corporation has extended its Hong Kong station commercial experience to the mainland, establishing joint ventures with local metro companies in cities such as Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Xi'an and Guangzhou to develop tailored station commercial models.

The Chengdu Ronggang, MTR's earliest station commercial joint venture with Chengdu Metro, has introduced 41 brands across more than 270 stations on 15 lines. The first batch of demonstration shops in Zhengzhou launched in January 2025, with Xi'an following in January 2026.

Kam said that MTR's mainland commercial platform company was established in September, aiming to collaborate with local metro companies to explore and promote consumption within stations, adapting commercial models to suit mainland markets.

Going global

Over the past two decades, MTR has participated in the rapid development of urban rail transit on the mainland and expanded its presence across overseas markets. Its foundation in the mainland market, combined with mature international experience and growing global recognition, enables MTR to act as a bridge.

In 2025, MTR announced an investment in CRRC Guangdong, its first venture into the railway equipment industry in Guangdong province. This not only strengthens MTR's core competencies but fosters deeper cooperation with industry leaders.

In January, the Metro Trains West Consortium, a collaboration between MTR and CRRC, secured a contract for the Sydney Metro West project in New South Wales, Australia. The partnership brings together complementary strengths: MTR's expertise in system integration, operational oversight and service delivery, alongside CRRC's capabilities in rolling stock and industrial innovation.

It also marks a milestone in MTR's collaboration with Chinese mainland enterprises to go global, aiding the international expansion of China's advanced railway technologies and proven expertise, according to MTR.

National development

MTR is advancing several new railway projects in Hong Kong, investing over HK $140 billion ($17.86 billion) to expand the city's railway network and support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government's development of the Northern Metropolis.

Kam said that the 15th Five-Year Plan provides a clear vision for high-quality development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. MTR is committed to leveraging its strengths to contribute to the needs of China.

MTR will continue to enhance connectivity in the GBA by improving cross-boundary rail services, such as the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway, facilitating the seamless flow of talent, capital and essential resources.

Utilizing its extensive TOD experience with the "Rail plus Community" model, MTR will support transit-oriented high-quality development across the GBA, helping to build an international first-class bay area and a world-class city cluster.

Moving forward, the corporation will uphold its professional and pragmatic approach while remaining committed to innovation and collaboration. It will proactively align with national development strategies, leveraging its role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder", contributing to the country's dual strategies of "going global" and "attracting foreign investment", integrating into and serving overall national development through concrete actions.