To showcase its unique role as a strategic gateway and important hub for the opening up of the country, Hong Kong is actively participating in the inaugural China International Import Expo (CIIE) being held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai from today (November 5) to November 10, including setting up a Hong Kong Exhibition Area and joining the Enterprise and Business Exhibition.
 
     Themed "Hong Kong In", the Hong Kong Exhibition Area is located inside the China Pavilion of the Country Pavilion for Trade and Investment. The theme represents the Hong Kong spirit which strives to make every endeavour to improve and excel, and symbolises Hong Kong's role in assisting international products and services to go into the vast market of the Mainland. With local enterprises actively joining forces with the Mainland counterparts to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong is the ideal platform for helping Mainland enterprises to "go global" and assisting international companies to enter the Mainland market.
 
      The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the opening ceremony of the CIIE this morning, and introduced to President Xi Jinping the theme and content of the Hong Kong Exhibition Area during his visit to the China Pavilion. She also attended a banquet hosted by President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan yesterday evening to welcome guests attending the CIIE.
 
     The Hong Kong Exhibition Area introduces Hong Kong's strengths, major infrastructure projects, popular tourist attractions, and innovation and technology products and inventions with the use of various multimedia technologies, such as a transparent projection touch screen, mixed reality, holograms, 3D mapping, an interactive magic book and a naked eye 3D display.
 
     Other themes featured include Hong Kong's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development, its contributions to the reform and opening up of the country, and the implementation of "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law.
 
     To showcase Hong Kong's unique culture, "Daily Highlights" performances including a harmonica ensemble, an a cappella group, Chinese-Western music crossover, Cantonese opera excerpts and fashion shows are being held at the Hong Kong Exhibition Area. The Home Affairs Bureau has recruited more than 20 Hong Kong youth volunteers from Hong Kong and Shanghai to take part in the CIIE.
 
     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam delivered a keynote speech at a parallel forum themed "Trade and Innovation" under the Hongqiao International Economic and Trade Forum.
 
     "Technological advancement will no doubt drive growth in trade. At the same time, trade will create demand for products and services, which will in turn provide the incentive for innovation. The WTO's World Trade Report 2018, focusing on how global commerce is being transformed by digital technologies, also sees great promise in the future of trade," she said.
 
     "The potential is there for all to see, but in order to realise it, free trade has become ever more important. As world leaders gather here in Shanghai for the inaugural China International Import Expo, I believe that this is an excellent opportunity for us to re-affirm our commitment to free trade, and make sure that we and our future generations will be able to reap the full benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution," she continued.
 
     Apart from the Hong Kong Exhibition Area, over 160 Hong Kong enterprises are exhibiting at the Enterprise and Business Exhibition covering both trade in goods and services to fully demonstrate Hong Kong's quality products and professional services. Amongst the exhibitors are renowned local brands and a range of professional services, such as architecture, logistics, accounting, information and communication technology, marketing and professional licensing. Accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, Mrs Lam toured the Enterprise and Business Exhibition and the Hong Kong Exhibition Area.
 
     Mrs Lam will also attend a dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for representatives of Hong Kong chambers of commerce and enterprises participating at the Enterprise and Business Exhibition.
 
     The Trade and Industry Department and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will jointly hold the "Seminar on 'Hong Kong's Experiences for International Trade': New Horizon·New Technology·New Model" tomorrow (November 6) where Mr Yau will deliver an opening address.
 
     The forum will feature industry experts from the innovation and technology, finance and legal sectors. They include the Group Chairman of the Fung Group, Dr Victor Fung; the Expert Partner of Sequoia China Fund, Mr Herbert Chia; the Chief Corporate Banking Officer of Bank of China (Hong Kong), Mr Lin Guangming; and Member of the Greater China Legal Affairs Committee of the Law Society of Hong Kong Mr Lawrence Yeung. They will explore issues including big data applications, support for cross-border enterprises provided by Hong Kong financial services and risk management by Hong Kong professional services, highlighting possible roles for the local services sectors in international trade.

Ends/Monday, November 5, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:00

NNNN