Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks to the media ahead of an Executive Council meeting on March 28, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will head to Hainan province for the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) on Wednesday to highlight opportunities the special administrative region has to offer to the world.
Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, Lee said he will explain the advantages of Hong Kong to other countries and international organizations and bring more business opportunities to the financial hub.
Since the full resumption of normal travel, Hong Kong’s economy has become vibrant and more active, with various mega global events highlighting the city’s charisma and bringing in visitors from around the world, he said.
“Representatives from world-renowned museums and institutions in 16 countries came to Hong Kong to join the Museum Summit 2023, with record attendance of more than 2,000 participants.”
Hong Kong had organized a number of international events in recent weeks, such as Art Basel, the Museum Summit 2023, the World City Championship, and the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit, with the Rugby Sevens set to be held from Friday through Sunday.
Since the full resumption of normal travel, Hong Kong’s economy has become vibrant and more active, with various mega global events highlighting the city’s charisma and bringing in visitors from around the world, said Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu
“Visitors (of the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit) see Hong Kong back on track of rapid recovery and development. Many participants indicated that they would either set up family offices in Hong Kong or actively consider it,” said the CE.
Lee believes this year’s Hong Kong Sevens would be even more popular.
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Asked about the latest data on the narrowing of the city’s export trade, he said the global economy had yet to be stable and various obstacles in the supply chain were still affecting the import and export in Hong Kong.
“We must work hard to promote Hong Kong as a trade center,” he said, adding that the government will continue to enhance the competitiveness of the city’s ports and simplify the procedures of the custom clearance.
Visitors look at works of art at Art Basel in Hong Kong on March 21, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)
‘Look far ahead’
Stressing the need to promote both the Northern Metropolis development plan and the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands development project, the CE said: “We need to look far ahead with broader perspectives.”
Compared with the world in terms of competitiveness, Hong Kong needed to address its land issues so that the city could compete with others around the world with sufficient land supply, he said.
“Both projects will provide land for the long-term benefits to Hong Kong,” he added.
Management of tour groups
Regarding the management of tour groups in Hong Kong, Lee said the HKSAR is in the early stage of normalcy and needed to welcome visitors to bring economic benefits to the city.
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Relevant departments and regulators are working hard to reduce the impact of tour groups on the local community with planning and management measures and ensure visitors will have a pleasant experience in Hong Kong, he added.