US should observe APEC rules: CE

July 28, 2023

Chief Executive John Lee:

It is (outlined in) the guidelines, protocols and conventions of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) for the host economy or country to extend invitations to the leaders of the member economies. 

Hong Kong is a member economy of APEC, so I would expect the host economy to act in accordance with APEC's rules, guidelines and conventions (with respect) to issuing invitations to the leaders of the member economies. (This) has been the practice for so many years. So (the) Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region) will participate in (the upcoming APEC (Economic Leaders’ Meeting) in accordance with these rules and guidelines.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum’s Economic Leaders’ Meeting in accordance with established APEC rules and guidelines.

Chief Executive John Lee made this statement as he responded to a reporter’s question regarding claims about the US, this year’s host of the event, barring him from joining the meeting.

“It is (outlined in) the guidelines, protocols and conventions of APEC for the host economy or country to extend invitations to the leaders of the member economies,” Mr Lee pointed out.

Hong Kong, an APEC member economy, expects hosts of forum meetings to act according to APEC’s rules, guidelines and conventions with respect to issuing invitations to leader of member economies, he noted.