[ad_1]
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he was planning more visits to southeast Asia, possibly Europe and the Middle East after concluding his trip to Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum.
Lee said in Beijing he would conduct more overseas duty visits, of which the first choice would be countries in southeast Asia. He also expressed interest in visiting Europe and the Middle East to get more business for Hong Kong.
He also said the SAR would fully engage in the eight major steps announced by President Xi Jinping to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, insisting Hong Kong would be “in perfect alignment” with the eight actions.
He said the eight steps will also bring vast opportunities and space for the SAR’s development.
For example, he said, the city could strengthen multidimensional connectivity and build an open-world economy. Hong Kong has also long been an international hub for air or sea transportation and well known for its free market.
Lee also said that Hong Kong is a powerhouse in professional services, with lawyers, architects and accountants who are of international standards in financing, construction and green economy. That can help green development and capital construction.
Hong Kong, as an art and cultural center, can also play a role in people-to-people exchanges. It can offer many Belt and Road scholarships as an education hub.
He said the SAR will try for membership of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free trade agreement among Asia-Pacific nations, noting that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner.
He said three cooperation agreements worth US$450 million (HK$3.51 billion) were signed during the forum in medical technology, innovation and technology and investment.
In response to media inquiries, he said Hong Kong could also contribute to marine cooperation, as many of its laboratories can do research on marine organisms and extract synthetic products that can be used in medicine and cosmetic products. He added that Hong Kong could help protect the marine environment by using advanced technology.
Lee also briefed Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on the latest developments in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority also signed a contract in Beijing with the Silk Road Fund to set up an investment platform for Belt and Road countries.
The HKMA and the fund will jointly contribute no more than 15 billion yuan (HK$16.1 billion) or its equivalent in other currencies in phases.
They will leverage strengths in capital, information, technology and management to seek more opportunities at home and abroad, and provide financial support for BRI.
[ad_2]
Source link