John Lee meets UAE Crown Prince at APEC for deeper Gulf ties

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu seized a sideline meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the APEC summit to pitch stronger economic bonds, praising the UAE’s meteoric rise and pushing for Gulf-wide free trade.

Lee hailed the rapid progress across Middle Eastern nations, spotlighting the UAE’s standout success, while underscoring Hong Kong’s priority on trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council. 

Bilateral merchandise trade between Hong Kong and the UAE hit HK$125.6 billion in 2024, growing at an average annual clip of 14.3 percent since 2020. 

With an investment protection pact in force since March 2020, Lee expressed confidence in sustained surges in business and capital flows.

Since his UAE trip in February 2023, joint initiatives have multiplied, with both governments ramping up collaboration in trade, investment, finance, technology, logistics, and tourism. 

Lee voiced eagerness to elevate ties further and urged UAE backing for a comprehensive Hong Kong-GCC free trade agreement to supercharge regional commerce and exchanges.