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

Chief Executive John Lee said that all countries and economies should respect the fact that Hong Kong seeks to develop win-win trade relations with the principle of mutual respect.

Mr Lee made the statement while responding to a question about the US presidential election, before attending today’s Executive Council meeting.

He noted that Hong Kong is one of the most open economies in the world and always firmly supports free and open trade, and a multilateral trading system.

“Hong Kong and I attach great importance to its relations with both mature and emerging markets. We welcome normal business exchanges, economic activities and people-to-people exchanges with different economies, including the US.”

Mr Lee pointed out that the US enjoys significant economic benefits in Hong Kong and has realised a trade surplus of some US$270 billion with Hong Kong over the past 10 years - the largest among its global trading partners. Additionally, there are more than 1,200 US companies with their businesses in Hong Kong.

“We hope to develop fair and free trade relations and promote mutually beneficial and win-win trade relations with the principle of mutual respect, but we will also adopt bottom-line thinking to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong businesses.”

He stressed that mutual respect is important for any country or economy that wants to develop trade relations or normal relations with another economy.

The Chief Executive added that there should be respect so that there will be non-interference with local affairs, internal affairs.