Passengers line up to be taken to hotel quarantine at the Hong Kong International Airport on April 1, 2022, after the city lifted a flight ban on nine countries amid the pandemic.
(ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong's commerce chief said he would bring Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation members the message that Hong Kong is heading towards reopening the city with maximum caution and protection.
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah made the remarks before departing for Bangkok to attend the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting.
READ MORE: SAR must strive for reopening of border as fifth COVID wave ebbs
The APEC meeting has been held online for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Face-to-face meetings are resumed this year.
We are heading towards reopening ourselves with maximum caution and protection, so this is part of our outreach efforts.
Edward Yau, HK's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Yau said he will join the discssions on how to achieve a more open, connected and also balanced economic region, with the view to enhancing freer trade.
"At the same time, I will be bringing to the APEC economies the message that Hong Kong is struggling hard, with certain success in overcoming the recent pandemic wave," he said.
"We are heading towards reopening ourselves with maximum caution and protection, so this is part of our outreach efforts," he added.
ALSO READ: Hong Kong begins relaxing social distancing restrictions
In addition to attending the APEC meeting, Yau will also host some events in Bangkok.
"We are mutually major trading partners and there is also quite a significant Hong Kong investment interest in Thailand and vice versa," Yau said.