The ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee (ACJCC) delegation visited Hong Kong from April 23 to 24, 2025, intending to strengthen the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and enhance collaboration between the ASEAN region and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
During the two-day visit, the delegation toured SuperTerminal 1 at the Hong Kong International Airport and met with senior officials from various departments, including the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, InvestHK, Trade and Industry Department, and the HKTDC. The delegation also met with Legislative Council President Hon. Andrew Leung and was hosted for lunch by Acting Chief Executive Mr. Paul Lam. The visit concluded with a farewell dinner hosted by the Office of the Commissioner.
Highlights of Remarks
Commissioner Cui warmly welcomed the delegation and shared his reflections after one year of serving in Hong Kong. He praised Hong Kong as a vibrant, international, and livable city, widely respected by foreign diplomats. He elaborated on the meaning of "One Country, Two Systems," emphasizing the central government's comprehensive jurisdiction alongside Hong Kong's high—but not full—degree of autonomy.
He outlined Hong Kong's positioning as an international financial, shipping, and trade center. He also promoted Hong Kong as a "super-connector" between China and the world, particularly ASEAN. Commissioner Cui called on ASEAN partners to leverage Hong Kong's unique strengths to foster shared development and mutual prosperity.
Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to ASEAN and Co-Chair of the ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee, deeply appreciated the hospitality and described the visit as rich and insightful. She recognized Hong Kong's leadership in logistics and finance, noting that ASEAN is Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner. She emphasized the strong people-to-people and educational links, with over 17,000 Malaysians living in Hong Kong and hundreds of students benefitting from scholarships.
As Malaysia currently serves as the ASEAN-China dialogue coordinator, she reaffirmed ASEAN's commitment to developing intra-regional and international cooperation. She praised "One Country, Two Systems" as a visionary arrangement and welcomed Hong Kong's proactive engagement with ASEAN in digital innovation and human capital development.
Phantipha Iamsudha Ekarohit, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to ASEAN, highlighted the value of the visit in updating ASEAN diplomats on Hong Kong's recent developments. She noted great potential for cooperation in green finance and digital economy—two areas aligned with ASEAN's sustainability agenda. She welcomed Hong Kong's interest in joining the upcoming ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which aims to double digital trade by 2030.
She also praised the implementation of the ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade and Investment Agreements and called for deeper integration through digital platforms. Hong Kong, she noted, is uniquely positioned as a global and regional hub within the Greater Bay Area.
Heng Sarith, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Cambodia to ASEAN, emphasized Hong Kong's role as a bridge between ASEAN and China and welcomed the establishment of a Hong Kong trade office in Cambodia. He highlighted strong investment ties, particularly in garments and special economic zones.
He reiterated Cambodia's support for Hong Kong's application to join RCEP, acknowledging the need for consensus among all 16 members. He encouraged continued collaboration on port-to-port connectivity, supply chains, and green development, underscoring the potential for mutual growth.
(Reported by Felicia Li & Jack Wang)
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