The Federation of German Wholesale and Foreign Trade has urged Hong Kong to work closely with the Pearl River Delta region and better position itself as a high-value service provider and financial centre.
Anton Borner, president of the federation, said: 'Hong Kong should have a complementary relationship with other China cities.
'In Europe, Rotterdam is a major port - but we also have Hamburg,' he said.
'The geographical location of Hong Kong is special and it could serve the southern and the western parts of China, while Shanghai can serve the eastern region.'
Mr Borner said Hong Kong's location was especially suitable to holding fairs and conventions facilitating business exchanges among countries.
While the mainland lagged behind in logistics and environmental preservation, Mr Borner saw room for better co-operation between Hong Kong, Germany and the mainland in these areas.
