Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the reception in celebration of the establishment of the Consulate-General of Uruguay in Hong Kong today (May 9):

Your Excellency Minister Mario Lubetkin (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay), Your Excellency Ambassador Fernando Lugris (Ambassador of Uruguay to China), Consul-General Federico Lage Cabeza (Consul-General of Uruguay to Hong Kong), Commissioner Cui Jianchun (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to be here on this important occasion - the establishment and opening, in Hong Kong, of the Consulate-General of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.

     The opening of the Consulate-General is testament to the long-standing, and growing, ties between China and Uruguay, and it is important to note that the two countries have now enjoyed diplomatic relations for 37 years, with their relations elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership status in 2023.

     In March, President Xi Jinping's special envoy, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mr Han Jun, attended the inauguration ceremony of the President of Uruguay. Minister Han conveyed China's wish to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and boost bilateral trade in goods and services. 

     Hong Kong and Uruguay also maintain good relations in trade. In 2024, our bilateral merchandise trade rose 8.8 per cent over the previous year, to more than US$120 million. You probably note that the number eight is considered a lucky number for Chinese people. So the double eights here in this 8.8 per cent growth are music of double luckiness to my ears.

     Our increased trade, and the opening, today of the Uruguay's Consulate-General, underlines the long-term promise of our economic prospects and people-to-people ties.

     Uruguay, after all, is a high-income economy built on free market policies in Latin America, with a large middle class which is strong and growing. It's also a founding member of Mercosur, or the Southern Common Market, which has a population nearing 300 million. Uruguay, I'm pleased to add, is a participant in our country's Belt and Road Initiative.

     Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys our country's strong support, and maintains unparalleled connectivity with the world. I thank Commissioner Cui for telling so much about the ingredients and success factors of Hong Kong under "one country, two systems". Hong Kong maintains unparalleled connectivity with the world that includes our pivotal roles in such national strategies as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Greater Bay Area is a cluster city that counts Hong Kong, Macao and nine prosperous cities in Southern China. 

     The Greater Bay Area boasts a collective population exceeding 87 million and a combined GDP rivalling the world's 10th largest economy. It gives Hong Kong a high-end consumer market more than 10 times larger than what our city's alone can offer.

     We are Asia's largest financial centre and the world's third largest, behind only New York and London. Not surprisingly, Hong Kong also ranked fourth and fifth, globally, in foreign direct investment inflows and outflows. 

     As the world's largest offshore Renminbi service centre, Hong Kong is a critical investment hub linking investment sources and destinations between Mainland China, Southeast Asian markets, and the world. 

     Like Uruguay and our country, Hong Kong is committed to free trade and the multilateral trading system. Goods, capital, people and information flow freely here - and it always will. In spite of challenges posed by emerging protectionism and geopolitical tensions, we strongly believe that free and open trade is key to our pursuit of high-quality development, together with a world of investors and economies.

     Hong Kong's commitment to the rule of law and a judiciary that exercises its powers independently, to our common law system, and to protecting the rights of our people and businesses, is no less fundamental to our economy, our community and our future. 

     Hong Kong, in brief, is the ideal gateway for Uruguayan companies, and investors, looking to tap into the far-reaching promise of Mainland China and the rest of Asia.

     Beyond business, arts and culture - including the art and culture of eating and drinking well - is as central to life in Hong Kong as I know in Uruguay. Hong Kong, after all, is the rising East-meets-West arts and cultural centre; it is also a hub for international exchange.

     Ladies and gentlemen, the formal establishment and opening, today, of the Consulate-General of Uruguay in Hong Kong marks an auspicious new stage in the growing relations between our two economies, and our two peoples. 

     The Hong Kong SAR Government, and the businesses and people of Hong Kong, welcome you, and look forward to working with you. Thank you.

Ends/Friday, May 9, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:47

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