The first Belt & Road Joint Conference was convened in Beijing today by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the National Development & Reform Commission, the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office and other central ministries.

The Joint Conference mechanism was agreed at the meeting, at which the strategy for promoting Hong Kong's full participation in the Belt & Road Initiative and the work priorities for the year were also discussed.

National Development & Reform Commission Vice Chairman Ning Jizhe attended the joint conference on the HKSAR Government's account of and suggestions for participation in the Belt & Road Initiative.

Ministries noted at the meeting co-operation with the HKSAR Government will be deepened in the areas of finance and investment, legal and dispute resolution services, construction and works related services, project interfacing and investment promotion.

The Hong Kong officials attending the meeting included Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau and Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Patrick Nip.

Ms Cheng said the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to the Belt & Road development and hopes the central ministries support Hong Kong in providing international legal and dispute resolution services on the Belt & Road.

Ministries also discussed how Hong Kong will develop green finance and insurance services related to the Belt & Road, and ways to encourage Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as the base to go global, as well as strengthen collaboration in project interfacing.

Mr Yau said the Belt & Road Initiative is a key impetus in driving Hong Kong's future social and economic development.

He said the HKSAR Government will strive to take forward the initiative and will make the most of the Belt & Road Joint Conference mechanism to strengthen communication, collaboration and mutual support with central authorities.

As the key link for the Belt & Road, Hong Kong will leverage its advantages in meeting the country's needs, he added.

The establishment of the joint conference mechanism was set out in the arrangement signed by the HKSAR Government and the National Development & Reform Commission in December.

At today's meeting, it was agreed the joint conference will be convened at least once a year as a platform for regular and direct communication.