HK can play key role in realizing BRI as most open city in China, John Lee says

The 9th Belt and Road Summit, co-organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), is being held today (Sept. 11) to tomorrow (Sept. 12) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

Under the theme "Building a Connected, Innovative and Green Belt and Road," the summit gathers over 80 key officials and business leaders from countries and regions along the Belt and Road to discuss the vast business opportunities presented by the next golden decade of the initiative. The opening session today featured a welcome speech by the Chairman of the HKTDC, Peter Lam, and an opening address by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, John Lee.

Lee stated that with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) entering its next decade, external trade with Belt and Road economies outside of Hong Kong and the Mainland has increased by nearly 60% over the past ten years, with these economies accounting for over 43% of Hong Kong's external trade value. This, he noted, reflects the significant impact of BRI-related trade on Hong Kong.

Lee also said that last month he led a delegation to three ASEAN countries, signing over 50 memorandums of understanding.

"These countries reiterated their support for Hong Kong to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as soon as possible."

He emphasized that investors from around the world can take full advantage of Hong Kong's strengths in finance, law, construction, engineering, and logistics to develop projects under the BRI, highlighting that Hong Kong is the only region in China that implements common law, aligning its legal system with many international financial centers.

Furthermore, John Lee noted that fostering cultural exchanges is another long-term advantage for Hong Kong.

"The city is home to five world-class universities, and in the past academic year, over 4,000 students from countries along the Belt and Road have come to Hong Kong to study through the scholarship and related programs... These students can benefit from talent policies that allow them to stay in Hong Kong for two years after graduation to work or seek other development opportunities, thereby strengthening the local talent pool," said Lee.