John Lee reunites with Singapore PM Lawrence Wong at APEC to forge deeper tech and trade ties

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu reconnected with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Korea, extending birthday wishes for the city-state’s 60th independence anniversary while championing joint leadership in global recovery and innovation.

The leaders engaged in open talks covering trade, cultural links, and fresh collaboration avenues. 

They concurred that as premier Asian financial centers, Hong Kong and Singapore play pivotal roles in steering worldwide economic rebound, with vast potential for synergy in innovation, technology, and artificial intelligence. 

Lee spotlighted Hong Kong’s distinctive strengths and invited Singaporean firms to tap opportunities in the Northern Metropolis development and use the city as a springboard to mainland China.

The two economies already share robust bonds: Singapore ranks as Hong Kong’s fourth-largest merchandise trading partner and top ASEAN counterpart, while standing seventh in inbound investment and fifth for Hong Kong’s overseas outflows.

Both remain steadfast in defending the rules-based multilateral trade framework that fuels their partnership.

Lee voiced gratitude for Singapore’s backing of Hong Kong’s swift entry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and expressed anticipation for broader cooperation across multiple sectors ahead.