HK leader John Lee pledges to explore business opportunities on ASEAN trip

Hong Kong leader John Lee has pledged to explore more business opportunities during a week-long trip to ASEAN countries as he looks to gain support for Hong Kong to join the global free-trade pact.

Lee told local media before he kicked off his trip to Singapore on Sunday, "I chose ASEAN to visit as there are unlimited business opportunities. ASEAN is Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner and the fifth-largest economy in the world which has huge development potential. The region's economic growth last year was 5.5% and its growth rate in the past 10 years was around 4% on average."

“As everyone knows the centre of the economy has shifted eastward, Asia and ASEAN will be the biggest driving force for economic development. We have signed a free trade agreement with ASEAN, so we have a very good foundation. The development potential of ASEAN countries is quite huge, we will introduce the opportunities in Hong Kong, explore business opportunities in ASEAN, and promote Hong Kong,” said Lee.

Apart from seizing collaboration opportunities with ASEAN businesses, the Hong Kong government also hopes to win support to join RCEP, which is made up of 15 Asia-Pacific countries, including all 10 from ASEAN. Lee believed joining RCEP could contribute to other countries and benefit Hong Kong companies.

During his first day in Singapore, Lee met with the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Singapore, Sun Haiyan. Lee said the Hong Kong government will continue to promote business and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Singapore, and tell Hong Kong's good stories in Singapore and other ASEAN countries.

Noting that Hong Kong and Singapore have always maintained close bilateral trade relations, Lee said that Singapore is the fourth largest trading partner of Hong Kong, and it is also the largest trading partner of Hong Kong among the 10 ASEAN countries. He expressed his hope to strengthen the high-level connection with the Singapore government through this visit.

Lee will continue his visit in Singapore today to meet with government leaders and visit an enterprise. He will also attend a business dinner jointly organised by the Hong Kong government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to exchange views with local business leaders.

Apart from Lee, the week-long cultural exchange trip comprises a delegation of five top officials and 30 industry leaders from the finance, investment, business, legal, innovation and technology, and logistics sectors. Lee will also be meeting with the leaders from Malaysia and Indonesia, visiting the local businesses and facilities and introducing Hong Kong’s unique advantage in connecting China and the world to encourage ASEAN companies to expand their businesses to Hong Kong.

Related articles:

HK leader John Lee says latest talent attraction strategies will be 'aggressive'
HK authorities warn public to beware of online deceptive ads featuring John Lee