CE attends APEC meetings in Korea (with photos/videos)

******************************************************

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, continued his visit to Korea today (October 31) to participate in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) activities and meet with leaders from Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

      In the morning, Mr Lee participated in the APEC Economic Leaders' Informal Dialogue with Guests to exchange views with leaders of other economies on issues that included promoting trade and investment and fostering public-private collaboration to respond to global challenges. In his remarks, he stated that in the face of global economic uncertainties, enhancing trade and investment co-operation is a critical driver of economic growth and development. Highlighting Hong Kong's position as the world's freest economy and its internationalised and market-oriented business environment, Mr Lee said that the city will continue to actively uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system and promote regional economic co-operation in developing an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community.

      Afterwards, Mr Lee met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the UAE, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Noting that the UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are Hong Kong's important partners in the Middle East and key links in China's Belt and Road Initiative, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong attaches importance to forging closer economic and trade relations with the GCC member states. He said that he was pleased to see the continued increase in economic and trade collaboration between the two places since his visit to the UAE in 2023, adding that the two governments are actively promoting co-operation in such key domains as investment, finance and technology. With the resumption of direct flights between Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi in November, he expected the two places to further strengthen their economic and trade co-operation, people-to-people exchanges and diversified development. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong's simple and low tax regime provides an excellent business environment and encouraged more talent, businesses and capital from the UAE and the Middle East to establish a presence in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, seizing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's development potential in innovation and technology.

      In the afternoon, Mr Lee attended the APEC Business Advisory Council Dialogue with APEC Economic Leaders. Hong Kong, China's representatives to the APEC Business Advisory Council, Ms Mary Huen and Mr Geoffrey Kao, were also present.

      Mr Lee also met with the Managing Director of the IMF, Ms Kristalina Georgieva. Mr Lee thanked the IMF for consistently reaffirming Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre and recognising Hong Kong's robust institutional framework, ample policy buffers, and the smooth functioning of the Linked Exchange Rate System. He said that as one of the world's three major financial centres, Hong Kong will harness the asset-reallocation wave of global investors to continuously reform its capital markets, facilitate corporate fundraising, enhance market liquidity and promote financial innovation prudently, thereby fostering the sustainable development of the financial services industry.

      Afterwards, Mr Lee met with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lawrence Wong. Mr Lee noted that Singapore is Hong Kong's fourth-largest trading partner and its largest merchandise trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, reflecting the close economic and trade ties between the two places. He emphasised that Hong Kong enjoys the dual advantage of having national and global opportunities under the "one country, two systems" principle and is fully committed to deepening international exchanges and co-operation. He welcomed Singaporean enterprises to leverage Hong Kong's roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" by investing in the city's Northern Metropolis, thereby strengthening co-operation in frontier technology fields and tapping into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's vast market potential. He also thanked Singapore for its consistent support for Hong Kong's early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

      In the evening, Mr Lee will attend a Gala Dinner hosted by the organiser for participating leaders and enjoy cultural performances.

      Mr Lee will attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting tomorrow (November 1).

Ends/Friday, October 31, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:56

NNNN

Archives Yesterday's Press Releases

Back to Index Page

Today's Press Releases