The 11th Belt and Road Summit, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. With the theme "Advancing High-Quality Development • Embarking on a New Journey," the summit brought together over 100 government officials, business leaders, and professionals from Belt and Road countries to explore opportunities in high-quality Belt and Road development and accelerate concrete outcomes.
The event's significance lies in its role as a catalyst for international cooperation and business partnerships. Multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed on the first day, spanning finance, professional services, industry, and construction, involving organisations from the Chinese Mainland, Australia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, and Uzbekistan. More agreements are expected, transforming connections into tangible collaborations.
In his opening remarks, John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, emphasised Hong Kong's unique position: "Hong Kong is an ideal two-way springboard for Mainland enterprises expanding overseas, and for international companies looking to enter the Mainland market." He noted that the GoGlobal Task Force, established last October, has assisted over 300 Mainland enterprises in establishing or expanding their businesses in Hong Kong. Since 2022, Lee has led high-level business delegations to 13 Belt and Road countries, delivering over 250 MOUs and agreements.
Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, underscored the importance of diversification: "In a world full of risks and uncertainties, diversification is a necessity, not a choice... ASEAN, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America are among the regions with the greatest growth potential." The summit introduced new thematic zones, including the "GoGlobal Connect" zone, to support enterprises expanding internationally.
Special addresses were delivered by Abdulla Aripov, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan; Carolina Cosse, Vice President of Uruguay; and Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister of Laos. Aripov highlighted Uzbekistan's readiness to be a reliable partner and invited participants to use the country as a gateway to Central Asia. Cosse noted Uruguay's support for the Belt and Road Initiative and its readiness to translate commitment into tangible outcomes. Kommasith praised the Lao-China Railway's impact, which has facilitated over 70 million passengers and 90 million metric tons of freight, transforming Laos into a land-linked logistics hub.
Yan Dong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, and Li Zhen, Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, also delivered remarks, supporting Hong Kong's role in Belt and Road cooperation and its integration into national development policies.
The summit's Policy Dialogue and Business Plenary sessions addressed building resilient trade and investment frameworks, with government officials from Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Qatar, and Thailand exchanging views on cross-border trade and economic resilience. Business leaders from ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Chinese Mainland explored opportunities in cross-border investment and sustainable development.
The implications of this summit are profound. It reinforces Hong Kong's position as a super connector and value-adder, bridging the Chinese Mainland with global markets. The focus on emerging markets like Central Asia and the Middle East, with dedicated chapters and zones, signals a strategic shift to diversify trade and investment away from traditional partners. The signing of numerous MoUs and the facilitation of over 800 business matching meetings demonstrate tangible progress in fostering international cooperation. As global supply chains reconfigure, the summit provides a platform for economies to enhance resilience and seize new opportunities.
The event also featured a luncheon with remarks by Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR, and a keynote address by Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, who emphasised Hong Kong's role in linking ASEAN's sustainable investment opportunities with global capital. A cocktail reception will follow, further fostering exchanges and laying groundwork for broader collaboration.
The summit continues with thematic breakout sessions, project investment sessions, and an exhibition with over 120 exhibitors. The Belt and Road Summit Deal-Making extends online to 14-15 September. Concurrently, the ASEAN Market Day and Belt and Road Global Forum Annual Roundtable will be held, further enriching the week's activities. For more information, visit the summit's website at https://www.beltandroadsummit.com/conference/bnr/en.
