The fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai from tomorrow (November 5). The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, participated online in the opening ceremony of the CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum tonight (November 4).
      
     The theme of this year's Hongqiao International Economic Forum is "Stimulation of Global Opening-up Impetus and Sharing of Cooperation Opportunities". President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. Apart from participating in tonight's opening ceremony, Mr Lee will deliver a video speech in the high-level session themed "RCEP Spurs Higher-level Opening Up" tomorrow, sharing insights on topics including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), regional economic integration and economic recovery.
      
     The CIIE is a significant move by the country to actively open the Mainland market to the world, and provides enormous opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises to tap into the domestic market. Hong Kong has been actively participating in the CIIE since its first edition in 2018, and there are over 200 Hong Kong enterprises participating this year to grasp the opportunities to promote Hong Kong quality products and services to exhibitors and buyers from around the world. 
      
     For the fifth consecutive year, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will set up the Hong Kong Services Zone and the Hong Kong Product Zone at the CIIE venue. Among the Hong Kong enterprises participating in the CIIE this year, 47 will showcase in the two zones a wide array of products and services including food, professional services, financial services, logistics services, infrastructure and construction, licensing, information and communication technologies, innovative technologies, design, branding and marketing. The Hong Kong Services Zone, under the theme "Channelling Global Business through Hong Kong", will highlight the opportunities and roles of Hong Kong under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, demonstrating visibly Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world.
      
     This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The exhibition area of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and Invest Hong Kong in the Hong Kong Services Zone will underline Hong Kong's advantages, opportunities arising from the 14th Five-Year Plan and achievements in the past 25 years, while that of the Hong Kong Tourism Board will promote Hong Kong's latest tourism appeal.
      
     Furthermore, Hong Kong will again participate in the people-to-people and cultural exchange activities of the CIIE. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai will co-organise with the Hong Kong Institute of Architects an exhibition to showcase Hong Kong's architectural achievements and process of developing into an international city, and has invited Hong Kong young people who are studying in Shanghai to serve as volunteers to receive visitors at the Hong Kong exhibition area.
      
     The CIIE will run for six days until November 10.

Ends/Friday, November 4, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:03

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