Chief Executive Carrie Lam kicked off her duty visit to Europe in Brussels yesterday, promoting Hong Kong's ties with the European Union and Belgium's business community.

She met European Commission Vice President and Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy High Representative Federica Mogherini.

Mrs Lam said since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has successfully implemented a high degree of autonomy with the principles of "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong".

She noted Hong Kong has close ties with the European Union, with the Structured Dialogue meeting held every year.

Mrs Lam said she hopes collaboration will continue to strengthen and welcomed scientific and research institutions from the EU to develop in Hong Kong.

Addressing a business luncheon, she said Hong Kong is determined to become a global hub for innovation and technology, and play an important role in the Belt & Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area.

She welcomed European companies and startups to establish a presence in Hong Kong and ride on its unique advantages to explore business opportunities in Mainland China and Asia.

At the luncheon, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade & European Affairs Minister Didier Reynders said Belgian companies continue to view Hong Kong as one of the freest economies in the world.

European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom expressed her appreciation for Hong Kong's support in strengthening the multilateral trading system and said she looked forward to working together to advocate the benefits of open global trade.

In the afternoon, Mrs Lam paid a courtesy call on King Philippe of the Belgians at the Royal Palace where she updated him on Hong Kong's latest developments.

She later toured Musee Margritte and told the venue's director she looks forward to collaborating with the museum to bring its art collection to Hong Kong for exhibition.

Mrs Lam also called on Charge d'affaires of Belgium's Chinese Embassy Zhang Chi to thank the embassy for its support and assistance.

In the evening she officiated at a cocktail event organised by Cathay Pacific Airways and the Airport Authority.