The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, today (November 11) hosted a cocktail reception for about 200 guests, including members of the Executive Council, officials from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, representatives from consuls in Hong Kong, chambers of commerce, major trade associations and the arts and cultural industries, as well as relevant government board and committee members, to update them on the ongoing efforts of the overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) and the Mainland Offices in promoting Hong Kong's diverse strengths and opportunities.
 
     The reception was held during the return of the Heads of the 14 ETOs and five Mainland Offices (HETOs) to Hong Kong for the annual meeting of HETOs.
 
     Speaking at the reception, Mr Yau said that despite the persistent uncertainties in the global economy and trade arising from intensifying geopolitical tensions, Hong Kong continued to demonstrate resilience. The ETOs, being the frontline representatives of the HKSAR Government responsible for promoting trade and investment ties between Hong Kong and its major trading partners, as well as the official representative to safeguard Hong Kong's economic and trade interests abroad, play a more critical role than ever.
 
     Mr Yau said that to further leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle, this year's Policy Address has put forward an array of initiatives to proactively explore new economic growth areas to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness and international influence. He briefed the guests on the measures that are particularly relevant to the work of the ETOs and the Mainland Offices, including the establishment of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global to provide one-stop customised support services to Mainland enterprises venturing overseas through Hong Kong; proactively supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups in exploring high-potential markets and the organisation of overseas business missions through the new functional platform "Economic and Trade Express"; as well as formulating packages of preferential policies covering land grants, land premiums, financial subsidies and tax incentives to attract high value-added industries and high-potential enterprises to set up businesses in Hong Kong, particularly in the Northern Metropolis.
 
     Mr Yau added that to further expand Hong Kong's circle of friends in trade, the Government has been actively seeking to co-operate with trading partners to deepen Hong Kong's international economic and trade networks through forging free trade agreements (FTAs), investment agreements and memoranda of understanding. In particular, the Government has been proactively seeking Hong Kong's early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world's largest FTA. In addition, the Chief Executive visited 12 Belt and Road countries in the past three years. Principal officials of the HKSAR Government also conducted various visits with the essential support provided by the ETOs and the Mainland Offices to strengthen the economic and trade network of Hong Kong.
 
     Mr Yau emphasised that the Government will continue to expand the network of ETOs to cover emerging markets with high economic potential. He shared with the guests that the Hong Kong ETO in Kuala Lumpur will commence operation this year, and the coverage of the ETOs in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region will be expanded to further deepen Hong Kong's work on economic and trade promotion in ASEAN and neighbouring countries.
 
     Looking forward, Mr Yau noted that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2026 will be held in Shenzhen, which will help promote the vast opportunities in the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Hong Kong will continue to fully participate in the GBA development and actively consolidate the city's position as an international trade centre and a regional intellectual property trading centre.
 
     In concluding, Mr Yau called on all sectors to continue supporting the work of the ETOs and the Mainland Offices. He also took the opportunity to appeal to all members of the organisations and associations to cast their votes on the polling day of the Legislative Council General Election on December 7, exercising their civic rights to elect a new term of responsible, visionary and capable members of the Legislative Council.

Ends/Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:57

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