Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu met with international financial and government leaders to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a global financial hub and key partner in regional infrastructure development.
The meetings, held on the sidelines of the 19th Asian Financial Forum, brought together officials from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey to discuss economic cooperation and Belt and Road Initiative opportunities.
Lee also expressed his gratitude to them for serving as speakers at the Forum.
In a meeting with AIIB President Zou Jiayi, Lee announced Hong Kong's commitment to support the establishment of an AIIB office in the city. He emphasized Hong Kong's role as the world's third-largest international financial center, highlighting its "vibrant capital markets, world-class professional services and diversified financial products" that position it to support AIIB operations in project financing, bond issuance, and investment management.
"Amid the complex and volatile global trade landscape and geopolitical situation, the AIIB has been fostering sustainable economic development and promoting infrastructure connectivity in Asia," Lee said, noting that Hong Kong will leverage its unique position under the One Country, Two Systems principle to deepen cooperation with the multilateral bank.
Lee also met with UAE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance Younis Haji Al Khoori. The city leader highlighted that bilateral merchandise trade exceeded US$16 billion in 2024, cementing the UAE's position as Hong Kong's largest Middle East trading partner.
Since Lee's 2023 visit to the UAE, cooperation between the two sides has expanded across economy, trade, investment, finance, and technology sectors. Both sides discussed leveraging their respective strengths—the UAE as a global trade connectivity hub and Hong Kong as an emerging international innovation and technology center—to maximize Belt and Road Initiative opportunities.
Lee also met with Turkish Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Simsek on Monday (Jan 26). He described Turkey as a major economy along the Belt and Road as it is located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, while positioning Hong Kong as a "super connector" and "super value-adder."
Hong Kong and Turkey have established frameworks for cooperation through a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement and an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.
The Chief Executive invited Turkish enterprises to use Hong Kong as a gateway to China and broader Asian markets, while encouraging Turkish youth to pursue education and careers in Hong Kong through the Belt and Road Scholarship program.
