HK to strengthen economic, cultural ties with Middle East: John Lee

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said that Hong Kong will boost the economic, trade and cultural ties with the Middle East.

Lee said in a video speech at the launching and inauguration ceremony of the Hong Kong-Middle East Business Chamber that both Hong Kong and the Middle East are key links in the Belt and Road Initiative.

He said the Middle East embraces diversified economic development, and Hong Kong's world-class professional services could support the financing needs of the Belt and Road Initiative.

“The promotion of our closer ties with the Middle East takes more than efforts from our governments,” he said. “Business leaders, such as those represented by the Hong Kong-Middle East Business Chamber, also play an important role.”

Christopher Hui Ching-yu, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, said at the ceremony that Hong Kong has become one of the most free and vibrant economies globally, which is not only a bridge to the Chinese mainland but also one of the growth engines for the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, creating an attractive development platform for investors around the world.

Abdullah Al Saleh, undersecretary of the ministry of economy of the United Arab Emirates, said that Hong Kong and the Middle East can have in-depth exchanges and establish cooperation in the fields of circular economy and science and technology. He believed that closer cooperation between the two places will bring more business opportunities.

(Staff reporter, Xinhua and China Daily)