Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks at the opening session of the 16th Asian Financial Forum in Wan Chai, Hong Kong on Jan 11, 2023. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

The normalization of travel between the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will be safe and orderly to ensure that everything will be back on track as soon as possible and practicable, says Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

He made the remarks on Wednesday at the opening of the two-day 2023 Asian Financial Forum, organized by the HKSAR government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, with participants from more than 70 countries and regions attending nearly 20 international delegations.

Travelers are no longer required to undergo hotel quarantine after entering the mainland from Hong Kong

Lee noted that Hong Kong has been progressively and systematically opening up itself to the world in the past few months, and launched the first phase of the resumption of quarantine-free travel with the mainland on Jan 8.

READ MORE:Border reopening with mainland: Lifeline for HK

“Travelers are no longer required to undergo hotel quarantine after entering the mainland from Hong Kong. That means it is much more convenient for business people, investors, tourists and, of course, Hong Kong people who have longed for reunions with their family members on the mainland after being separated for some three years,” he said.

“You can be rest assured we will go fast in a safe and orderly manner to achieve our shared goal of getting everything back on track as soon as possible and practicable.”

The HKSAR government scrapped the mandatory hotel quarantine requirement for incoming travelers in September last year, paving the way for the city to host a three-day international investment summit for the first time in three years. The event was attended by more than 200 financial and business leaders from some 120 financial institutions.

“With the HKSAR government’s further relaxation of anti-pandemic measures last month, I am pleased to see many of you having travelled to our vibrant city to join us,” HKTDC Chairman Peter Lam Kin-ngok told the forum.

READ MORE: HK should prepare for the post-COVID-19 era

“It has been three years since the start of a public health crisis that no one could foresee. As the economy continues to recover gradually, we now have the opportunity to back up the global economy,” he said.

This year’s Asian Financial Forum has invited more than 100 global business leaders, policymakers, financial and wealth management professionals, entrepreneurs, technology innovators and economists to share their insights on international finance and economy, trade, sustainability and other issues.

There are more than 2,000 live participants, with 3,000 others attending the event online.