CE attends Boao Forum

March 25, 2025

Digital trends:

Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong attends the Boao Forum’s Enhance Digital Capacity Building & Bridging Digital Divide forum in Hainan.

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Chief Executive John Lee:

Recently, we signed an amendment to the Agreement on Trade in Services of CEPA, the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. It contains policy breakthroughs that grant Hong Kong enterprises and professionals unparalleled, and timely, access to the Mainland market.

In the latest Report on the Work of the Government, delivered by Premier Li Qiang earlier this month, our country will step up the implementation of core policies for the Hainan Free Trade Port, and enhance the performance of pilot free trade zones.

Hong Kong is proud to be a part of the Global Free Trade Zone (Port) Partnership Initiative, launched at this very forum two years ago. We will continue to join hands with our friends in Hainan in promoting the vast opportunities, and benefits, that free trade and market liberalisation could bring to the world.

Chief Executive John Lee arrived in Hainan today to attend the Global Free Trade Port Development Forum at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025.

Addressing the forum, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong, as an international financial, shipping, and trade centre, enjoys a strategic location and world-class connectivity, and is a champion of free and multilateral trade.

Under the principle of “one country, two systems”, he added, Hong Kong is the only world city that combines “the China advantage” with “the global advantage”. Moreover, he said, it boasts a long tradition of the rule of law and has an established common law regime that aligns with major global financial hubs.

Mr Lee outlined that as a participant in the Global Free Trade Zone (Port) Partnership Initiative, Hong Kong will continue to collaborate with Hainan in promoting the vast opportunities that free trade and market liberalisation can bring to the world.

In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner with provincial leaders to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong’s co-operation with Hainan.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong attended the Enhance Digital Capacity Building & Bridging Digital Divide forum this afternoon.

Prof Sun elaborated on Hong Kong’s move to accelerate digital economic development through strengthening digital infrastructure and fostering digital transformation, and mentioned that the Government is pressing ahead with its Digital Corporate Identity Platform project at full speed.

He added that by adhering to the three-pronged principle of promoting technology with talent, leading industries with technology, and attracting talent with industries, Hong Kong will continue to provide quality jobs and development opportunities for talent in the innovation and technology (I&T) and digital sectors, and to attract I&T talent from around the globe.

Tomorrow, Mr Lee will meet provincial leaders and attend the signing ceremony of memoranda of understanding between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the People’s Government of Hainan Province.