CE attends APEC meetings

November 18, 2022

Deeper co-operation:

Chief Executive John Lee (right) holds a bilateral meeting with President of Indonesia Joko Widodo while attending the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.

Key partner:

Mr Lee (left) also holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.

Closer connectivity:

Mr Lee attends the APEC Leaders’ Dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council in Bangkok.

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Voiceover:
Chief Executive John Lee attended the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok and exchanged views with the leaders of other economies on how to address barriers to trade and investment, promote resilient supply chains and closer people-to-people connectivity as well as deepen economic and technical co-operation to enhance inclusive and sustainable growth. 

Mr Lee then joined the APEC Leaders' Informal Dialogue with Guests. In his remarks, the Chief Executive said he was encouraged that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN members welcomed Hong Kong's accession request to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP, adding that Hong Kong looked forward to contributing its unique strengths in trade and investment.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee attended the APEC Leaders' Dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council.

He also held a bilateral meeting with the President of Indonesia to exchange views on issues of mutual interest. 

Chief Executive John Lee: 
The relationship between Indonesia and Hong Kong, particularly in the ASEAN community, is strong. The annual trade amounted to US$5 billion last year and it is rising. I am very glad that the relationship between Indonesia (and Hong Kong) has ever, been going up. And I also thank you Mr President for supporting us in our application to join the RCEP. This is a very important agreement for Hong Kong and we also think that Hong Kong has a lot to contribute to the overall success of RCEP.

Voiceover:
During a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee said he welcomed Singaporean businesses to partner with Hong Kong to tap into the vast opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area and the Belt & Road Initiative.

Chief Executive John Lee attended the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand today.

He exchanged views with the leaders of other economies on how to address barriers to trade and investment, promote resilient supply chains and closer people-to-people connectivity as well as deepen economic and technical co-operation to enhance inclusive and sustainable growth.

The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting Retreat this year is split into two sessions. In the first session of the meeting today, Mr Lee pointed out that Hong Kong has formulated robust policy measures to respond to sustainability challenges.

He said these included striving to slash Hong Kong's total carbon emissions by half of the 2005 level before 2035 with a pledge of carbon neutrality before 2050 as well as leveraging Hong Kong's international connectivity to facilitate matching between international capital and quality green projects, in particular those included under the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt & Road Initiative.

Mr Lee then attended the APEC Leaders' Informal Dialogue with Guests. In his remarks, the Chief Executive said he was encouraged that Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members welcomed Hong Kong's accession request to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and that Hong Kong looked forward to contributing its unique strengths in trade and investment to strengthen RCEP's leadership role as the world's largest free trade agreement.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee joined the APEC Leaders' Dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council.

Following the dialogue, he proceeded to a breakout session with People's Republic of China Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, President of the Republic of Chile Gabriel Boric Font, Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia Mohd Zuki Ali, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Andrei Belousov, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

Mr Lee also held a bilateral meeting with President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, during which he congratulated Indonesia on successfully hosting the G20 Leaders' Summit, adding that he looked forward to many more exchanges and deeper co-operation with the country.

At a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, the Chief Executive noted that Singapore is an important trading partner of Hong Kong and welcomed Singaporean businesses to partner with Hong Kong to tap into the vast opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area and Belt & Road Initiative.

In the evening, Mr Lee attended the Royal Audience and was received by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana.