Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by the Hon Sunny Tan and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (September 10):
 
Question:

It is learnt that with Hong Kong advancing the development of the “eight centres”, an increasing number of non-local people are participating in activities held in Hong Kong. However, under the current system, non-local people coming to Hong Kong at invitation to participate in short-‍term or one-off activities, such as seminars, talks, contract signings and internships, must apply for employment or training visas. Although the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (the STV Scheme) launched by the Government can provide immigration facilitation for visitors coming to Hong Kong to participate in short-term activities, the Scheme is only for persons invited/sponsored by authorised host organisations. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as some members of the industry have relayed that although the Immigration Department states the standard processing time for visa applications for employment, investment, training, etc. in Hong Kong is typically four weeks, their past experience shows that the relevant procedures take about six to eight weeks, and that there have even been instances where guests were unable to attend activities due to the unduly long time required for processing visa applications, whether the authorities will consider setting a more specific timeframe for processing visa applications for those coming to Hong Kong to participate in short-term or one-off activities, so as to enable applicants and activity organisers to make more accurate plans;
 
(2) of the up-to-date number of persons who have come to Hong Kong to participate in specified short-term activities through the STV Scheme, and set out in the table below a breakdown by the 12 designated sectors under the Scheme;
 

Designated sector	2022	2023	2024	2025 to date
Medical and Healthcare
Higher Education
Arts and Culture
Sports
Heritage
Creative Industries
Innovation and Technology
Hong Kong Laureate Forum
Aviation
International / Mega Events
Finance
Development and Construction

(3) as there are views that with an increasing number of mega events being held in Hong Kong, the current practice of having statutory bodies and government departments as the main authorised host organisations under the STV Scheme can hardly meet development needs, whether the authorities will consider optimising the Scheme, for example by phasing in the expansion of the list of authorised host organisations to include commercial organisations as necessary, requiring such organisations to sign declarations pledging not to abuse the mechanism, and enlisting authoritative organisations in various industries to assist the authorities in processing visa applications, so as to meet the development needs of the “eight centres”; and
 
(4) as there are views that with more and more Mainland enterprises “going global” through Hong Kong, many Mainland residents will need to receive training in Hong Kong, whether the authorities will consider extending the eligibility criteria for visas to undergo training in Hong Kong to cover all Mainland residents, so as to further enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s professional services in assisting enterprises to expand overseas?
 
Reply:
 
President,

The Government is committed to consolidating and continuously enhancing Hong Kong’s development of the “eight centres” as outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan, providing impetus for sustaining our competitiveness and economic growth. In connection with immigration policies, the Immigration Department (ImmD) has been maintaining effective immigration control while providing convenient immigration services to facilitate genuine visitors so as to promote greater convergence of talents in Hong Kong for exchanges.
 
In general, visitors shall not take any employment, whether paid or unpaid, in Hong Kong. They may conclude contracts, attend short term seminars or other business meetings, and deliver speeches without remuneration. The ImmD’s website contains relevant information on permissible activities for visitors for public reference: www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/permissible-activities.html.

To encourage more talents to come to Hong Kong for exchanges, the Government launched a two-year Pilot Scheme on Immigration Facilitation for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (Pilot Scheme) in June 2022, which was regularised as the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short term Activities in Designated Sectors (STV Scheme) in June 2024. Under the STV Scheme, organisations authorised by the relevant government bureaux/departments (B/Ds) can issue invitation letters to relevant non-local talents in their sectors. Invited persons may come to Hong Kong to participate in specified short-term activities as visitors without the need to apply for employment visas/entry permits from the ImmD. They may participate in specified short term activities for up to 14 consecutive calendar days during each trip to Hong Kong, and receive remuneration for the specified activities concerned.

In consultation with the ImmD, my reply to various parts of the question raised by the Hon Sunny Tan is as follows:

(1) In general, for all visa/entry permit applications for employment, investment and training in Hong Kong, the ImmD will complete processing within four weeks upon receipt of all required documents. The application procedures and processing times are clearly set out on ImmD’s website. In 2024, 99 per cent of the relevant visa/entry permit applications could be completed within four weeks upon receipt of all required documents. The ImmD will also expedite the processing of relevant visa/entry permit applications as far as practicable, taking into account individual circumstances (e.g. applications related to mega events in Hong Kong).
 
To provide better services and strive for excellence, the ImmD has launched electronic services for visa/entry permit applications in full. A list setting out the required documents is also available on the ImmD’s website to give applicants a clear picture of what is required for the application so that they can prepare the required documents in advance, thereby minimising the chance of submitting supplementary documents. The ImmD will continue to enhance efficiency through process optimisation.
 
(2) and (3) As of end-June 2025, the Pilot Scheme/STV Scheme had benefited a total of 36 951 non-local talents, facilitating their entry into Hong Kong as visitors to participate in various short-term events and activities without the need to apply for employment visas/entry permits from the ImmD. The statistics by sector are at Annex.

To ensure that the Scheme keeps pace with the times, the Government reviews its coverage and operation mechanism from time to time, with a view to ensuring that it can continue to effectively promote the development of relevant sectors and raise Hong Kong’s international profile while ensuring that the risks are manageable. Since the launch of the Pilot Scheme, the Government has expanded the Scheme twice in February 2023 and June 2024, by adding two new sectors, namely “Finance” and “Development and Construction”, to the original 10 designated sectors. The number of authorised organisations has also increased by 18 per cent from around 350 when the scheme was first launched, to more than 400 at present. These authorised organisations include government B/Ds, public/statutory organisations, professional bodies and industry associations, etc. At present, through an established mechanism, all participating B/Ds would assist in ensuring that the implementation of the scheme consistently meets policy objectives.

As mentioned above, the STV Scheme currently extends beyond the public sector and encompasses professional bodies and industry associations. Commercial organisations may also collaborate with authorised organisations under the Scheme to organise eligible specified short-term activities, thereby benefiting from the relevant immigration facilitation. In considering whether to further relax the scheme, the Government shall take into account two major principles, including that eligible individuals visiting Hong Kong for specified short-term activities under the Scheme will not displace the local workforce, and there will not be a risk of abuse (including illegal employment). The Government will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the STV Scheme as well as the views of the relevant departments and the sectors concerned, and timely review the Scheme’s coverage to strike an appropriate balance between immigration control and facilitation. We welcome interested commercial organisations to contact relevant B/Ds or authorised organisations in their respective sectors and consider co-organising eligible events, with a view to promoting more diverse forms of exchange and collaboration under the Scheme.

(4) The implementation of the entry arrangement for training facilitates individuals with genuine needs to enter Hong Kong for training, enabling them to acquire local knowledge, experience or skills. It also helps promote and consolidate Hong Kong’s role in assisting Mainland enterprises in “going global”. 

Currently, Mainland business associates and/or employees of Mainland branches of well-established companies in Hong Kong may apply to enter Hong Kong for training. In 2025 (as at July), the monthly average number of cases involving Mainland residents approved for entry to Hong Kong for training was 197, representing a slight increase from 2024 which recorded a monthly average of 194 cases.

The Government will continue to timely review the entry arrangement for training in Hong Kong to ensure that the arrangement remains consistent with the objectives and the development needs of Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government will launch the 2025-26 joint recruitment exercise for Administrative Officer (AO), Executive Officer II, Assistant Labour Officer II, Assistant Trade Officer II and Management Services Officer II this Saturday (September 13). Applicants must submit their applications through the online application system on the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) website. The deadline for application is 11.59pm on October 3 (Hong Kong time). 

     The recruitment is open to all permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region who meet the relevant entry requirements. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and graduating in the years of 2025-26 or 2026-27 academic years may also apply. The respective recruitment targets are set out below:
 

Posts	Recruitment target
Administrative Officer	40
Executive Officer II	100
Assistant Labour Officer II	10
Assistant Trade Officer II	8
Management Services Officer II	10

     Arrangements will be made for eligible applicants to take the Joint Recruitment Examination (JRE) scheduled to be held on November 29 in Hong Kong.  

     In addition to taking the JRE, applicants for these posts will need to have obtained:
 
(a) Level 2 in the two language papers (Use of Chinese and Use of English) in the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE), or other results which are accepted as equivalent (details are set out on the CSB’s CRE website at www.csb.gov.hk/eng/cre.html);

(b) a pass result in the Aptitude Test paper in the CRE; and 

(c) a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (Degree/Professional Grades) (BLNST). 

Applicants who have not attained the requisite CRE results may also apply. Arrangements will be made for them to take a designated CRE on November 29 in Hong Kong. Local applicants who have not attained a pass result in the BLNST must separately apply for Digitalised BLNST (application details available at www.csb.gov.hk/eng/dblnst.html) and obtain a pass result before November 29 in order to be considered for appointment. Applicants must obtain the requisite CRE and BLNST results for their JRE answers to be processed. 

Applicants may also choose to attend the JRE on November 29 in one of the seven cities outside Hong Kong (i.e. Beijing, Shanghai, London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney). In addition, the CRE and paper-based BLNST will also be held on the same day in these seven cities. The application period for the CRE and BLNST outside Hong Kong is the same as that of the joint recruitment exercise. Applicants may apply for the CRE and BLNST online from September 13 to October 3 (Hong Kong time). Similarly, applicants who will take the CRE and BLNST outside Hong Kong have to obtain the requisite results for their JRE answers to be processed.
 
    Details of the joint recruitment exercise and the online application system will be available on the CSB website (www.csb.gov.hk) from this Saturday.  For the recruitment of AO, relevant information will also be available on a dedicated website at www.ao-recruitment.gov.hk. Applicants must apply online through the CSB website and may visit the relevant webpage for any updates on the examination arrangements.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (September 10) that as the first phase of redevelopment works for Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool has been completed, its indoor main pool will reopen tomorrow (September 11). The reopening date for the second phase project, including the outdoor training pool and leisure pool, will be announced later on the website.
 
     For enquiries, please call the venue staff at 2336 5817, or visit the LCSD website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/swim-intro/swimlocation.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Opening Ceremony of BIOHK2025 today (September 10):

Honourable Vice-Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference), Professor Albert Yu (Chairman of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization (HKBIO) and President of BIOHK2025), Professor CM Lo (Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau), Professor Herman Hu (Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Professor Hu Shao-ming), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good morning. It is a true pleasure to see you all again at BIOHK2025. Time flies. This marks the fourth edition of this annual flagship biotechnology convention in Hong Kong. Following the success of past years, I am delighted to witness the continued growth of this event in its scale, diversity and global significance, mirroring the dynamism of Hong Kong’s ever-growing innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem.

     Let me begin with some exciting updates of Hong Kong’s I&T developments. With strong support from our motherland, the Plaque Presentation Ceremony for 15 State Key Laboratories (SKLs) in Hong Kong was held last month, recognising our city’s world-class capabilities and outstanding achievements in scientific research. Among all, six of the SKLs focus on life and health technologies, covering various aspects such as digestive disease, emerging infectious diseases, and pharmaceutical biotechnology. These SKLs serve as engines of discovery and magnets for talent, translating R&D (research and development) into real-world applications that benefit society.

     Another milestone worth celebrating is the recent announcement by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranks first globally in its Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025. This is truly a remarkable achievement. The top ranking is not only a recognition of the strong innovative capacity of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), but also a powerful endorsement of the GBA as a fertile ground for I&T investment and entrepreneurship, including biotechnology and other frontier technologies.

     For the first time, WIPO has included venture capital investment as a new metric in its GII ranking, highlighting the importance of transforming scientific research into economic value. It also reflects a broader global trend and standard: innovation must be scalable, sustainable and investable. It also affirms that Hong Kong’s efforts in fostering effective collaboration among the Government, industry, academic, research and investment sectors are on the right track.

     As you may be aware, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has identified life and health technology as a strategic industry, and we are committed to develop Hong Kong into a global leader in this field. Every step requires strategic investment and long-term vision, and Hong Kong is rising to seize these opportunities. I am confident that our world-class R&D infrastructure such as the InnoHK research clusters and the future Life and Health Technology Research Institute, coupled with proactive funding schemes like the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme and the upcoming Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, will empower Hong Kong to navigate its I&T journey with strength and resilience.

     Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is open for innovation. As we gather here at BIOHK2025, we reaffirm our shared commitment to shaping the future of biotechnology. The opportunities ahead are vast, and the momentum is real. Let us seize the moment together for a healthier and smarter future, starting right here in Hong Kong.

     In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the HKBIO and the relevant stakeholders, including our industry leaders and experts, for their continued efforts and significant contributions to promote the development of biotechnology in Hong Kong. May I wish the BIOHK2025 a resounding success. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the 10th Belt and Road Summit today (September 10):

Honourable Director Zhou Ji (the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Secretary Feng Fei (Secretary of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee), Vice Minister Yan Dong (Vice Minister of Commerce), Vice Chairman Li Zhen (Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council), Deputy Secretary General Xiao Weiming (Deputy Secretary General of the National Development and Reform Commission), Commissioner Cui Jianchun (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR), Professor Frederick Ma (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council), officials and friends from around the world, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. Welcome to Hong Kong, and the 10th Belt and Road Summit.

     Let me first extend a warm welcome to – His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol of Cambodia (Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia), His Excellency Minister Santiphab Phomvihane from Laos (Minister of Finance of Laos), His Excellency Minister Anthony Loke from Malaysia (Minister of Transport of Malaysia), His Excellency Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed from Qatar (Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar), as well as many senior officials and distinguished leaders from Belt and Road countries here, for this anniversary Summit.

     As the Chinese saying goes, “有朋自é� æ–¹ä¾†ï¼Œä¸�亦樂乎” – “What a joy to have friends coming from afar”.

     So many friends, I’m delighted to say. This 10th anniversary edition of Hong Kong’s Belt and Road Summit brings together more than 6 000 high-profile leaders and participants from governments, international organisations, companies and the global media, here to celebrate a decade of achievements. I’d say that’s proof collaboration works. And that this annual Summit delivers.

     Since 2016, Hong Kong’s Belt and Road Summit has united governments, businesses, peoples and cultures in collaboration for change. For rewarding opportunities.

     Over the past 10 years, more than 45 000 people from over 120 countries and regions have participated in the Summit. Together, they have presented over 2 800 projects along the Belt and Road, shaping a shared vision through collaboration and connectivity, which are the fundamental values of the Belt and Road Initiative.

     Upholding that spirit, this year’s Summit theme is “Collaborate for Change – Shape a Shared Future”.

     To mark this 10th edition, we are introducing a new session on signature Belt and Road projects. It will be complemented by project investment sessions on energy, natural resources, public utilities and urban development, including Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis, which takes up one-third of Hong Kong’s geographical area and is fast rising as an innovation and technology hub.

     Later this morning, we will witness the exchange of 9 MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) and co-operation agreements, between Hong Kong and Belt and Road countries, on official co-operation in dispute avoidance and resolution, customs, anti-corruption, meteorology, investment promotion, and more. These underline our commitment to the Belt and Road, to enabling co-operation and exchanges for mutual benefit. Also today, some 36 business-to-business agreements and deals will be announced, covering finance, technology, logistics, professional services and education.

     Thanks to projects and deals closed in recent days, their total value is now close to 1 billion US Dollars. And that’s just the beginning. The beginning of another decade of business, of investment, and of co-operation.

Trade and investment

     Here in Hong Kong, when we talk business, we mean business. Hong Kong has long thrived as a free port dedicated to multilateralism.

     The HKSAR Government is rapidly expanding Hong Kong’s global trade networks. We have signed free trade agreements with 14 Belt and Road countries, and investment agreements with about 20 Belt and Road economies, as well as Comprehensive Double Taxation Agreements with 37 Belt and Road jurisdictions.

     Not surprisingly, our external trade with Belt and Road countries exceeded 276 billion US Dollars last year, up about 80 per cent since 2013, and three times the average growth rate of Hong Kong’s overall merchandise trade over the same period. Some 1 400 companies from Belt and Road countries have established a base in Hong Kong to seize these opportunities.

     It helps that Hong Kong is one of the most prolific sources of foreign direct investment in the Belt and Road. In 2023, our outward direct investment in Belt and Road countries and regions was 133 billion US Dollars.

     That’s 3.6 times of the amount in 2013 and four times that of Hong Kong’s overall outward direct investment growth, a clear sign that global capital converges here and deploys globally.

     We invest as well as connect. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority established the Belt and Road HK Flagship Impact Fund with the Silk Road Fund Company, and initial capital totalling 1 billion US Dollars.

     Last year, our Monetary Authority signed a MoU with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund on a joint 1 billion-US Dollar fund. They will invest in companies with a Hong Kong nexus expanding to Saudi Arabia.

     Last week, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan issued a 2 billion Renminbi dim sum bond in Hong Kong, the first Renminbi bond issued by a government-owned entity from Central Asia.

     That underscores Hong Kong’s position as a leading fund-raising hub for Belt and Road economies. That’s why more than 100 Belt and Road companies are listed on the HKEX (Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited), with more to come.

     And I believe it is important to reach out to our Belt and Road partners, in person, to let them know what Hong Kong can do for them – for you – whether in key events like this one, or in visiting their countries.

     Since assuming office three years ago, I have visited 12 Belt and Road countries. To most of them, I have led high-level business delegations from Hong Kong, witnessing some 160 MoUs, co-operation agreements and deliverables with the respective economies – many now in development.

     Just this May, I led a joint delegation of Mainland and Hong Kong companies to explore the markets of Qatar and Kuwait, my second visit to the Middle East region.

     Alongside numerous agreements reached during the trip, I’m pleased to note that one of the participants has chosen Hong Kong as its global hub and listed on the HKEX just last month.

     I also witnessed a MoU, less than two weeks ago, between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment and our Belt and Road Office, part of its new signature project collaborations, working directly with governments.

     Major Belt and Road projects and events are turning to Hong Kong for global roadshows. They include the Future Investment Initiative PRIORITY Summit, in 2023, the recent Saudi Super Cup, and LEAP – one of the Middle East’s largest tech expos, which chose Hong Kong for its first global edition, LEAP East, to be held next year.

     To support development in the Global South, we continue to expand our world-wide network of trade offices across partner countries.

     Our Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices, Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council work together to connect businesses and projects via Hong Kong.

     Through these networks, our Government ties now extend to some 130 countries, including about 100 Belt and Road countries.

Competitiveness

     To a world of investors, especially our friends from Belt and Road economies, Hong Kong offers a unique blend of professionalism and efficiency.

     Hong Kong has long shone as a resourceful and resilient economy, one of the world’s most competitive in the many sectors and industries we commit to.

     That was once again borne out just three months ago, when the International Institute for Management Development put out its 2025 World Competitiveness Yearbook. Hong Kong placed third, globally, up two places from last year.

     In “government efficiency” and “business efficiency”, Hong Kong rose to second overall. And we topped the rankings in “tax policy” and “business legislation”.

     Competitiveness is in Hong Kong’s DNA. And central to that competitiveness, is our people, and our ability in nurturing them.

Talent

     In the IMD (International Institute for Management Development)’s annual World Talent Ranking, which came out just yesterday, Hong Kong rose to fourth, globally, up from ninth place last year and 16th place the year before. Moving up 12 places in two years, we have come to our highest-ever standing in the report, ranking number one in Asia.

     Overall, Hong Kong topped the ranking in the percentage of “graduates in sciences”, and placed among the global top five in the availability of “finance skills”, the “remuneration of management”, and the effectiveness of “management education”.

     Hong Kong’s performance, the IMD report said, demonstrates that “targeted reforms and investment can result in significant gains in talent competitiveness over time”, noting that Hong Kong attracts large numbers of inbound students from abroad, through our outstanding academic achievement. Indeed, Hong Kong is home to five of the world’s top 100 universities, which cultivate multi-talented and enterprising young people for our dynamic city.

     And Hong Kong is committed to nurturing future generations from home and abroad. With the HKSAR Government’s Belt and Road Scholarship and other programmes, more than 4 000 students from Belt and Road countries are enrolled in our tertiary programmes every year.

     This summer, some 400 students from Belt and Road countries were placed in summer internships here, strengthening our shared Belt and Road talent pool.

     Our targeted reforms on talent cover not only grooming our own, but also attracting a world of professionals to our world city. Since the end of 2022, our enhanced talent admission schemes have received more than 520 000 applications, with over 350 000 approved. More than 230 000 have arrived in Hong Kong over the period, boosting our talent pool and economic growth.

Connectivity

And of course, Hong Kong also opens its doors wide to travellers who come to our city for business, leisure and more. Last year, Hong Kong welcomed more than 44 million visitors, fourth globally for visitor arrivals by city, winning the world’s best airport immigration service award. Our international airport is the world’s busiest air cargo hub, handling 4.9 million tonnes of goods and about 45 per cent of Hong Kong’s external trade last year.

     With the three-runway system now in operation, we expect up to 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually in about 10 years’ time, with the enhanced capacity to support social and economic growth across Belt and Road countries.

We have signed 80 bilateral civil aviation agreements and operate flights to some 60 Belt and Road destinations, strengthening our role along the Air Silk Road.

Green and sustainable innovation

     Hong Kong is committed to growth. We are also dedicated to sustainability, to ensuring a healthy development for all. As a green and sustainable innovation and finance hub, Hong Kong is working with Belt and Road partners to build a Green and Innovative Silk Road.

     We provide internationally recognised green building certification, with the flexibility to help countries adapt standards and access green finance. And, for seven consecutive years, Hong Kong has ranked first in Asia in the volume of green and sustainable bonds arranged.

Systems

     Hong Kong’s success as a premier functional platform for the Belt and Road rests on our unique “one country, two systems” framework.

     It allows Hong Kong to maintain a common law jurisdiction with a sophisticated legal sector, and a judiciary that exercises its powers independently, providing the safeguards that investors and projects demand.

     In May, government representatives of over 30 states, many of them from the Belt and Road, gathered in Hong Kong to sign the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation.

     The Organization will be headquartered here, in Hong Kong, as the world’s first intergovernmental legal body dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation.

     The “one country, two systems” principle ensures that Hong Kong thrives as an east-meets-west centre for international cultural exchange. With programmes like the Asia+ Festival, which begins next week, we present myriad events showcasing the richness of Asia and Belt and Road regions.

     And the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which houses treasures from Beijing’s Forbidden City, is now hosting masterpieces from Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art, Doha. In two months’ time, it will also showcase extraordinary collections from seven prominent museums in Egypt. That’s just a taste of the cultural exchange, the creative dialogue, that Hong Kong delivers!

The Ideal Belt and Road Hub

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is the ideal Belt and Road hub. As the only world city that converges both the China advantage and the global advantage, Hong Kong stands as the premier gateway for co-operation, bridging people, trade, business, education, culture and values across the region, connecting Asia and the world. We are a “super connector” and “super value-adder” for high-quality collaborations worldwide.

Our “dual superpower” of connecting and value-adding means Hong Kong is more than a link between capital and projects. We also inject vigour, innovation and sustainability, adding strategic value to everything we do.

     Hong Kong will continue to drive high-quality development along the Belt and Road. That’s our promise towards a brighter future. Together with you.

     My thanks to our Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Belt and Road Office and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council for making this Summit such a flagship international event over the past decade. And, I’m confident, for many decades to come.

     Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a rewarding Summit, and a memorable stay in Hong Kong.

     Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region