CS speaks at Boao thematic forum

March 27, 2024

Fostering co-operation:

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki (left) meets Hainan Governor Liu Xiaoming.

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Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki attended the Global Free Trade Ports Development Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Hainan. 

Speaking at the thematic forum, Mr Chan stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will strive to strengthen Hong Kong's roles as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" between the country and the rest of the world, in particular to capitalise on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt & Road Initiative, so as to enhance the strategic positions of the country and Hong Kong in the international economic and trade arena.

Before attending the thematic forum, Mr Chan met Hainan Province Governor Liu Xiaoming. 

He said many Hong Kong enterprises are conducting business in Hainan, while Hong Kong is also the largest source of foreign investment and an important trading partner for the province.

Mr Chan added that he looks forward to leveraging Hong Kong's advantage as a highly internationalised city as well as seizing the development opportunities of the Hainan Free Trade Port, to help Hainan enterprises go global.

The Chief Secretary also met some Hong Kong youth who are volunteers at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference. 

He encouraged them to visit and intern more often on the Mainland, in addition to delving into the history and culture of the country and national affairs, thereby fostering Hong Kong's integration into the country’s overall development.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today attended the Global Free Trade Ports Development Forum at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Hainan, and exchanged views with Hainan Governor Liu Xiaoming and leaders from overseas.

At the ports development forum, Mr Chan stressed that Hong Kong is a staunch supporter of free trade and has been a promoter of it at multilateral and regional levels, including the World Trade Organization and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, and an advocate of eliminating trade barriers.

He added that Hong Kong, in enjoying strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to other parts of the world, is consolidating its strategic position as an international trade centre in two major directions, namely exploring global partnerships and actively integrating into China’s overall development.

He stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will seize the opportunities brought about by the eastward shift in global economic gravity and China’s high-quality development, and strengthen Hong Kong’s roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”. In particular, Hong Kong will capitalise on Greater Bay Area development and the Belt & Road Initiative in order to enhance the strategic positions of both the country and Hong Kong in the international economic and trade arena.

Before attending the forum, the Chief Secretary met Hainan Governor Liu Xiaoming and said he looked forward to helping Hainan enterprises go global. He also invited Hainan enterprises, talent and youth to pursue opportunities in Hong Kong.

In addition, Mr Chan interacted with representatives of the Y. Elites Association and young people from Hong Kong serving as volunteers at the Boao Forum this year.

He was pleased to learn that the association has helped Hong Kong youths participate in the Boao Forum over a number of years, enabling them to showcase their talent and broaden their horizons. He was also happy to know that the Hong Kong volunteers had gained rich experience and deepened their understanding of the high-quality development of Hainan and the country at large.

Tomorrow, the Chief Secretary will attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 opening plenary, before returning to Hong Kong.