Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu attends the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov 18, 2022. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Friday exchanged views with the leaders of other economies in the region on deepening economic and technical cooperation to enhance inclusive and sustainable growth.
They also discussed issues including how to address barriers to trade and investment, promoting resilient supply chains, and closer people-to-people connectivity during the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.
IN PICTURES: CE attends APEC meetings
Delivering addresses at several APEC meetings, Lee said that he was encouraged that Association of Southeast Asian Nations members welcomed Hong Kong's accession request to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, adding that Hong Kong looks forward to contributing its unique strengths in trade and investment to strengthen RCEP's leadership role as the world's largest free trade agreement.
As Hong Kong is now back on the global stage, I look forward to many more exchanges and deeper cooperation with Indonesia to reinforce our trade, investment, cultural ties and human connection.
John Lee, Chief Executive, HKSAR
Hong Kong has formulated robust policy measures to respond to sustainability challenges, said Lee. These include striving to slash Hong Kong's total carbon emissions by half its 2005 level before 2035 with a pledge of carbon neutrality before 2050, as well as leveraging Hong Kong's international connectivity to facilitate matching between international capital and quality green projects, in particular those included under the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative.
During a meeting with President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, Lee congratulated Indonesia on successfully hosting the G20 Leaders' Summit. In a social media post about the meeting, Lee said: “As Hong Kong is now back on the global stage, I look forward to many more exchanges and deeper cooperation with Indonesia to reinforce our trade, investment, cultural ties and human connection.”
In an exchange with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, Lee said he welcomes Singaporean businesses to partner with Hong Kong to tap into the vast opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Lee also attended the Royal Audience and was received by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana of Thailand.
On Saturday, Lee will attend the second session of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting Retreat and have dinner with Hong Kong's business delegation and Thailand’s business leaders.