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The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Zhang Dejiang, attended the inaugural Belt and Road Summit this morning (May 18) and delivered a keynote speech to more than 2 000 participants.
The Summit is being held in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, attracting political leaders, policymakers, representatives from international organisations, business leaders and experts in related trades from all over the world.
They are discussing the new opportunities presented by the Belt and Road Initiative in various areas, including finance, logistics and maritime transport, professional services, cross-border investment, infrastructure development and international trade, as well as the unique role that Hong Kong could play.
Addressing the opening session of the Summit, the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, said the Belt and Road Initiative offers unprecedented opportunities to all territories, including Hong Kong. With the combined advantages of ¡§one country¡¨ and ¡§two systems¡¨, Hong Kong can serve as a ¡§super-connector¡¨ between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world.
In areas such as finance, investment, professional services, trade, logistics, culture, creativity, innovation and technology, Hong Kong¡¦s unique ¡§super-connector¡¨ role can bring together the strengths of Belt and Road economies. The National 13th Five-Year Plan of China clearly supports Hong Kong and Macau leveraging their unique advantages to enhance the roles and functions in the country¡¦s economic development and opening up to other countries, including the Belt and Road Initiative.
He said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is setting up a dedicated Belt and Road office to push forward related work plans. The HKSAR Government will work closely with the Central Authorities of China and Belt and Road partners to ensure effective co-ordination of policies and measures, to identify areas of collaboration, and to facilitate timely exchange of information for the common good.
The Belt and Road Summit was organised by the HKSAR Government, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce of the People¡¦s Republic of China, as well as the People¡¦s Bank of China, as supporting bodies.
The one-day programme of the Summit features a keynote speech, a keynote luncheon, a series of panel sessions and concurrent investment and business matching workshops on topics relating to logistics and transport infrastructure, urban planning and rural development, public utilities and energy, telecommunications, and international trade and manufacturing.
The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, will deliver a speech at the luncheon at noon. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, will be a speaker at a session on ¡§Investment in Belt and Road Countries: Policymakers¡¦ Perspective¡¨. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, will speak at the panel session on ¡§Enhancing Cross-sector Connectivity Along the Belt and Road¡¨.
Ends/Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Issued at HKT 10:34
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MP4 format
