CE meets AFF speakers
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Mr Lee met with the President of the AIIB, Ms Zou Jiayi, today. Also attending the meeting was the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui. Mr Lee said that amid the complex and volatile global trade landscape and geopolitical situation, the AIIB has been fostering sustainable economic development and promoting infrastructure connectivity in Asia. As a member of the AIIB, Hong Kong, being the world's third-largest international financial centre, boasts vibrant capital markets, world-class professional services and diversified financial products, and actively supports the AIIB's operations in areas such as project financing, bond issuance, and investment and financial management. Hong Kong will provide full support for the AIIB's establishment of an office in the city, and continue to leverage its unique advantages of connecting the Mainland with the world under the "one country, two systems" principle to deepen co-operation with the AIIB, with a view to further contributing to the sustainable development of infrastructure in Asia.
Accompanied by Mr Hui, Mr Lee met with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mr Younis Haji Al Khoori. Also attending the meeting was the UAE Ambassador to China, Mr Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi. Mr Lee noted that the total merchandise trade between Hong Kong and the UAE exceeded US$16 billion in 2024, making the UAE Hong Kong's largest trading partner in the Middle East. He said he is pleased that since his visit to the UAE in 2023, both sides have continued to strengthen co-operation in various key areas including economy and trade, investment, finance and technology. As an important link in global trade connectivity, the UAE is an active participant in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative. As an international financial, shipping and trade centre with world-class infrastructure and professionals, Hong Kong is making every effort to develop into an international innovation and technology hub. It will give full play to its role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative and seize the tremendous opportunities brought about by the Initiative jointly with the UAE for mutual benefit.
Yesterday, accompanied by the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, Mr Lee met with the Minister of Treasury and Finance of Türkiye, Mr Mehmet Şimşek. Also attending the meeting was the Ambassador of Türkiye to China, Mr Selçuk Ünal. Mr Lee said that Türkiye, situated at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, is a major economy along the Belt and Road, while Hong Kong, located at a key node of the Belt and Road, plays an important role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder". Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Türkiye have signed a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement as well as an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, and the two places will continue to enhance economic and trade co-operation and people-to-people exchanges. He welcomed Turkish enterprises to make use of Hong Kong as a gateway to tap into the Mainland and Asian markets to jointly explore more opportunities. He also encouraged more Turkish youth to pursue further studies and develop their careers in Hong Kong through the Belt and Road Scholarship.
Ends/Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:15
Issued at HKT 19:15
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