Keep it strictly business, John Lee tells US

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said Hong Kong has a significant trade relationship with the United States, and he hopes that all economic entities, including the US, will respect each other. 

He also said the city would adopt bottom-line thinking and safeguard Hong Kong enterprises' legitimate rights and interests, while calling on all countries to refrain from politically interfering in Hong Kong.

During a press conference ahead of his weekly Executive Council meeting, the Hong Kong leader was asked to comment on the impact of Donald Trump's reelection on the relationship between mainland China, Hong Kong, and the US.

Lee said Hong Kong is one of the most open economic systems globally and has consistently promoted free and open trade, supported multilateral trade, and valued economic and trade relations with various regions.

The city also welcomes normal business exchanges, economic activities, and people-to-people exchanges with different economic entities, including those between the US and Hong Kong, he said.

Meanwhile, Lee said the US has significant economic interests in Hong Kong. In the past decade, the trade surplus with Hong Kong amounted to US$270 billion, making it the largest trade surplus source among all US global trading partners. Furthermore, over 1,200 US companies have initiated operations in Hong Kong, with American companies long occupying the top three spots in terms of parent company location. Last year's figures increased by one percent compared to the previous year, indicating the close economic ties between Hong Kong and the US.

The Chief Executive emphasized the desire to develop fair and free trade relationships with various economic entities, including the US, promoting mutually beneficial trade relationships on the basis of mutual respect.

However, he said Hong Kong will continue to adopt bottom-line thinking to safeguard Hong Kong enterprises’ legitimate rights and interests.

”Hong Kong will continue actively promoting trade relations and cultural exchanges worldwide and hopes for mutual respect between the US and Hong Kong…Hong Kong values the rule of law and free trade and all countries should respect the HKSAR without politically interfering in its judiciary, normal commercial interactions, and trade relations,” Lee added.