（By Liu Rui and Zhang Yuanyuan [Intern] in Henan）As the annual sessions of Henan's political advisory body and people's congress draw to a close, Hong Kong-based members of the Henan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have put forward innovative proposals to boost the province's high-quality product exports globally, highlighting three iconic Henan treasures: iron stick yam, red dates, and Shaolin cultural IP.

Chan Lung-sing, Hui Ngok-lun, and Ko Wai-kwok, who bring unique cross-border perspectives to the table, shared their insights in exclusive interviews, emphasizing Hong Kong's irreplaceable role as a "golden bridge" connecting Henan's quality products to global markets.

"I wholeheartedly endorse Henan's iron stick yam as a health-preserving gem," Chan declared enthusiastically, making no secret of his fondness for this specialty. "Beyond its rich heritage in traditional Chinese medicine, this natural wonder offers remarkable health benefits, including blood pressure and blood sugar regulation, making it a true gift from Henan to the world." He stressed that ready-to-eat products made from this premium ingredient would gain widespread market acceptance, enabling this nutritional powerhouse to reach global consumers far and wide.

When discussing Henan's culinary delights, Hui immediately highlighted the province's red dates, which have already won the hearts of consumers in Hong Kong and overseas markets. "As a locally cultivated specialty, Henan red dates have gained global recognition and can be found in markets worldwide," he noted. Elaborating on Hong Kong's role in facilitating Henan's exports, Hui explained: "Hong Kong serves as an international hub connecting the Chinese mainland with the world, boasting cultural diversity and extensive global networks that can help Henan products quickly access international markets. Coupled with its efficient logistics infrastructure, Hong Kong can bridge the 'last mile' for Henan's export journey." He added that leveraging short-video platforms for creative marketing campaigns would effectively showcase the unique charm of Henan products to international audiences.

"Shaolin culture is undoubtedly Henan's most eye-catching 'international ace'," Ko said with evident enthusiasm, noting that Shaolin culture and related products have enjoyed immense popularity in Hong Kong and beyond, with enormous potential for IP development. To further promote this cultural icon globally, Ko shared an innovative idea inspired by a Korean TV show: "The scene featuring Buddhist monks preparing vegetarian dishes in South Korea's 'Black and White Chef' became a huge hit. We could create a Shaolin-specific vegetarian cooking program following this model!" He explained that using food as an entry point would not only promote Shaolin's healthy vegetarian philosophy but also make the Shaolin IP more accessible to global audiences.

Building on this foundation, he suggested expanding into kung fu-themed trendy toys, films, personalized T-shirts, and fashionable footwear. "Look at how sports brands' limited-edition New Year collections with kung fu elements sell out instantly upon release—that's the untapped potential of Shaolin IP!" Ko firmly believes that through in-depth development, Shaolin culture will serve as a "cultural ambassador" for Henan, helping the world better understand the allure of the Central Plains.