HK follows APEC rules: CE

May 30, 2023

Chief Executive John Lee:

In regard to APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) (meetings), APEC is an international organisation. It does not belong to any country or economy. According to APEC’s rules and conventions, the organiser has the responsibility to invite members to attend (the meetings). Hong Kong, China has been a member of APEC and has been taking part in APEC conferences in accordance with APEC's rules and conventions. So it is up to the organiser to act in accordance with these conventions and the Hong Kong Government will, of course, also act in accordance with APEC rules and conventions in regard to (an) invitation to attend the APEC conference.

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Hong Kong will follow Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) rules and conventions in regard to attending APEC meetings, Chief Executive John Lee said today.

He made the statement ahead of this morning’s Executive Council meeting when asked if he will take part in this year’s conference in the US and pointed out that APEC is an international organisation that does not belong to any country or economy.

Mr Lee said: “According to APEC’s rules and conventions, the organiser has the responsibility to invite members to attend the meetings.

“Hong Kong, China has been a member of APEC and has been taking part in APEC conferences in accordance with APEC's rules and conventions.

“So it is up to the organiser to act in accordance with these conventions and the Hong Kong Government will, of course, also act in accordance with APEC rules and conventions in regard to an invitation to attend the APEC conference.”