The Ninth Belt & Road Summit opened in Hong Kong today, attracting about 6,000 political and business leaders from Belt & Road countries and regions.

Participants include government officials from about 10 countries and prominent international business leaders, as well as over 100 delegations and 38 central state-owned enterprises from the Mainland.

Speaking at the opening session, Chief Executive John Lee highlighted that the Belt & Road Initiative (B&RI) has inspired many countries and economies to share opportunities, common development and cultural exchanges. Hong Kong, as the country’s most open and international city, is perfectly positioned to be a critical juncture in realising the visionary goal of the B&RI.

Mr Lee pointed out that under the unique “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong is the only world city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage.

As a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”, Hong Kong provides world-class infrastructure and professional services support that facilitate trade and enhance projects, he noted, while also elaborating on Hong Kong’s latest developments in trade, legal services, innovation and technology, green development and cultivating people-to-people bonds.

Looking ahead, Mr Lee said as the B&RI ushers in its next golden decade, through the friendship and business collaboration among participating countries and regions, the economies will grow faster, companies will soar higher, and the cohesiveness of communities will grow stronger, together.

Also addressing the opening session were Ministry of Commerce Deputy China International Trade Representative Li Yongjie, State Council State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission Vice Chairman Gou Ping, and National Development & Reform Commission Deputy Secretary General Xiao Weiming.

At the summit, Financial Secretary Paul Chan gave welcoming remarks at the keynote luncheon, while Secretary for Justice Paul Lam gave opening remarks at the thematic breakout session, and Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau chaired the Policy Dialogue on Multilateral Co-operation for an Interconnected World.

Additionally, the Hong Kong SAR Government exchanged memoranda of understanding with the Maldives and Indonesia on enhancing anti-corruption co-operation, with Cambodia on promoting bilateral trade and economic co-operation, and with the Solomon Islands on collaboration in aeronautical meteorological science.

The summit also led to 21 memoranda of understanding on commercial collaboration.

The summit was attended by over 200 Belt & Road Scholarship recipients, Youth Development Commission Youth Ambassadors, Youth Link members, and Strive & Rise Programme students and mentors.