Seminar on Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms promotes knowledge exchanges and collaboration
The Seminar on Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms was held today (April 22) to introduce capacity-building opportunities, including those by public organisations and institutions in Hong Kong, with a view to exchanging knowledge for promoting development, deepening soft connectivity of rules and standards, exploring collaboration opportunities and enhancing people-to people bonds with Belt and Road (B&R) countries.
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The Seminar on Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms was held today (April 22). Photo show participants of the seminar learning more about capacity-building programmes, exchanging views and exploring collaboration opportunities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Seminar on Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms was held today (April 22). Representatives from different organisations in Hong Kong introduced their work on capacity building etc. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Seminar on Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms was held today (April 22). Photo shows the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, delivering a speech at the seminar. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Seminar on Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms was held today (April 22). Photo shows the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho (front row, sixth right), and representatives from some 20 different organisations and institutions in Hong Kong. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Organised by the Belt and Road Office with the theme of "Connecting Knowledge for Shared Prosperity: Advancing Belt and Road Soft Connectivity in Alignment with the 15th Five-Year Plan", the seminar aimed to promote the Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms (Platforms). It featured some 20 public organisations and institutions, covering areas such as transport and logistics, financial services, legal services, development and construction, environment and ecology, innovation and technology, health, and integrity.
The Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, said that the initiative of the Platforms is designed to serve as a two-way springboard for Hong Kong and its partners to learn and lead. "By sharing governance experience and professional expertise, we work alongside officials and professionals from B&R countries to build the skills, standards, and networks required to turn development goals into delivery - strengthening resilient economies, effective institutions, and sustainable development," he said.
Representatives from about 30 consulates-general, honorary consulates and chambers of commerce of B&R countries in Hong Kong, etc, attended the seminar to know more about the Platforms and capacity-building programmes. They also exchanged views and explored collaboration opportunities. Representatives from the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the new Belt and Road Sustainable Green Development Training Centre gave briefings on their capacity-building programmes and collaboration with B&R partners. A representative from the International Organization for Mediation also introduced its work on promoting dispute resolution through mediation and other means.
The Seminar on Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms was held today (April 22). Photo show participants of the seminar learning more about capacity-building programmes, exchanging views and exploring collaboration opportunities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Seminar on Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms was held today (April 22). Representatives from different organisations in Hong Kong introduced their work on capacity building etc. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Seminar on Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms was held today (April 22). Photo shows the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, delivering a speech at the seminar. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Seminar on Belt and Road Capacity Building Platforms was held today (April 22). Photo shows the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho (front row, sixth right), and representatives from some 20 different organisations and institutions in Hong Kong. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by FS at South African Freedom Day Reception 2026
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the South African Freedom Day Reception 2026 today (April 23):
Consul General Mogono (Consul General of South Africa in Hong Kong, Mr Mojalefa Mogono), Deputy Commissioner Hua You (Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), members of the diplomatic community in Hong Kong, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate South Africa's Freedom Day.
South Africa and our country, China, are close partners, sharing a long-standing and resilient relationship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 28 years ago, our ties have continued to deepen, and now grown into an All-round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era.
Our two countries work closely together in the international arena, through platforms such as the G20, BRICS and the Belt and Road Initiative. As important members of the Global South, we share a commitment to mutual benefit, win-win co-operation, shared prosperity, and respect for each other's chosen path of development. In a world of uncertainty, instability and change, that spirit of mutual respect and solidarity matters greatly.
This is a world in profound transformation. Geopolitical tensions remain high. Conflicts persist. Globalisation is facing headwinds. Technological advancement and green transition redefine development models and competitiveness. But change also creates opportunity. Technological innovations are opening up extraordinary new possibilities. Artificial intelligence and other frontier technologies are reshaping industries, economies and the way we live, work and do business.
Amid these changes, China remains a stabilising force in the global arena and a powerful engine of growth. This year marks the beginning of our country's 15th Five-Year Plan period. Innovation, technological breakthroughs, green transformation, and high-level opening up will be central to this new chapter of development.
Hong Kong will continue to play an instrumental role in this process. As a free port and an international trade, financial and business hub, we are uniquely placed to connect our country with the rest of the world. In particular, as more Mainland enterprises expand to the Global South, including the African continent, Hong Kong supports them with a deep capital market, comprehensive funding options and a full range of professional services.
We will continue to serve as a gateway for foreign enterprises and investors to gain greater access to the vast Mainland market.
Our role is clear, and the connectivity is in both directions, inbound and outbound. We connect capital with opportunities, businesses with markets, and partners with long-term growth.
In many respects, Hong Kong and South Africa are natural partners. Hong Kong is the gateway to China and Asia. South Africa is the gateway to the African continent. The markets are different, but the role is similar. We are both connectors that create potential for deeper collaboration and shared progress.
Hong Kong's capital market is well positioned to South African businesses' growth and international expansion. We bring capital, businesses and opportunities together efficiently and effectively. For example, we welcome South African companies to list on our stock exchange to access capital in this part of the world. Besides, we stand ready to explore broader financial connectivity with your country, including dual listing of enterprises and ETPs (exchange-traded products), as well as closer cross-border regulatory co-operation.
There is also great scope for collaboration in digital economy and green transition. Our strengths in green finance, fintech, and innovation and technology can work well with South Africa's key industries, including mining, energy, agro-processing and manufacturing. Together, our entrepreneurs can develop innovative solutions that help strengthen your industry development on a sustainable and inclusive basis.
But our strong relationship is not just in trade and finance. It is the bond between the two peoples. Hong Kong is fast becoming an international education hub. A number of our universities and academic disciplines rank among the world's best, attracting outstanding talent from across the globe.
We would be delighted to welcome more young people from South Africa to study in Hong Kong, build their future here, and bring home new ideas, new experiences, and new connections.
And if I may end on a sporting note, nothing would be more delightful than seeing the Blitzboks return to the Hong Kong Sevens next year to defend their title.
Consul General, our warmest congratulations again on South Africa's Freedom Day.
And ladies and gentlemen, may I now invite you to join me in a toast: to the people of the Republic of South Africa, and to the enduring friendship and co-operation between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa. Thank you.
