11th Belt and Road Summit concludes with new heights, opening new avenues for global collaboration
The 11th Belt and Road Summit organised by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government successfully concluded yesterday (September 10). The two-day event brought together more than 6 200 government and business leaders from over 70 countries and regions, showcasing over 300 investment projects, facilitating more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings, and witnessing a record high of over 60 memoranda of understanding (MOUs). The total value of these MOUs, together with new projects and deals finalised before and during the Summit, is over US$3.1 billion.
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The 11th Belt and Road Summit opened today (September 9). The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, chaired the policy dialogue on "Building Resilient Trade and Investment Frameworks in a Diverse Global Landscape". Photo shows (from left) Mr Yau with the Minister in Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute of Bangladesh, Mr Khandakar Abdul Muktadir; the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Mr Arman Shakkaliyev; the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development of Sri Lanka, Mr Wasantha Samarasinghe; the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste, Mr Filipus Nino Pereira; the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed; and the Vice Minister for Commerce of Thailand, Dr Kirida Bhaopichitr, after the dialogue session. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, attended the 11th Belt and Road Summit today (September 9). Photo shows Mr Lam delivering his welcome remarks at the thematic breakout session "Hong Kong: Super Connector · World-class Springboard - Professional Services Empowering Global Expansion" of the summit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, speaks at the 11th Belt and Road Summit Keynote Luncheon today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (right), meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Mr Saleumxay Kommasith (left), today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (right), meets with the Vice President of Uruguay, Ms Carolina Cosse (left), today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (right), meets with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov (left), at Government House today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the 11th Belt and Road Summit today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the 11th Belt and Road Summit today (September 9). Photo shows Mr Lee (front row, centre); the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov (front row, tenth left); the Vice President of Uruguay, Ms Carolina Cosse (front row, tenth right); Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Mr Saleumxay Kommasith (front row, ninth left); the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Zhou Ji (front row, ninth right); Vice Minister of Commerce Mr Yan Dong (front row, third left); Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council Mr Li Zhen (front row, third right); the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, Mr Cui Jianchun (front row, fourth right); the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (back row, seventh left); the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (back row, seventh right); the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (back row, sixth left); the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing (back row, fourth left); the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong (back row, fourth right); the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan (back row, third left); the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau (back row, third right); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Professor Frederick Ma (front row, eighth left), and other guests at the summit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the 11th Belt and Road Summit today (September 9). Photo shows Mr Chan (second right) and the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov (second left), witnessing the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui (first right), exchanging the Memorandum of Understanding with Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan Mr Abror Mirzo Olimov (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, delivered remarks at the opening session. Senior officials over the world joined to share their insights, includingthe Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov; the Vice President of Uruguay, Ms Carolina Cosse; and Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Mr Saleumxay Kommasith proving the Summit's success in promoting government-to-government exchanges and relations with Belt and Road countries.
Various new elements were featured in this year's Summit, including think-tank dialogue, enterprises going global, low-altitude economy, media co-operation, Health Silk Road, sovereign wealth funds of Belt and Road countries, and universities, exploring collaborations with Belt and Road partners in new areas, giving full play to Hong Kong's roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" in the global economy.
A key highlight was the inaugural "GoGlobal Chapter", designed to support the expansion of Chinese Mainland enterprises into overseas markets. This Chapter featured two thematic breakout sessions - one organised by the Department of Justice and another by the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global - with welcome remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau.
A new thematic breakout session hosted by the Working Group on Developing of Low-altitude Economy, and addressed by the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, also explored aligning Hong Kong's low-altitude economy with national strategies and Belt and Road synergies.
The Summit also introduced a debut Dialogue for Future Session with the theme of "The Belt and Road Initiative and Asia-Pacific Cooperation in a Changing Global Landscape", with think tank dialogues on regional co-operation.
Day two of the Summit also featured a special address by the Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation, Professor Teresa Cheng, on resolving international disputes through mediation.
Echoing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's commitment in expanding our business and trade networks, this year's Summit also featured dedicated elements on Central Asia and the Middle East.
Building on the Chief Executive's visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan earlier this year, the Summit introduced a dedicated Central Asia Zone to further business and trade ties with the region. Key development projects, including Kazakhstan's Alatau City and Data Center Valley were featured.
The Business Plenary, themed "Unlocking New Market Opportunities along and beyond the Belt and Road" focused on the Middle East and African markets, with speakers from Qatar, Oman, South Africa, and Nigeria sharing insights on the potential of these emerging markets. Key development projects including Türkiye's Ankara–Istanbul Super Speed Railway and Istanbul Northern Ring Railway projects were introduced.
A newly integrated University Zone showcased Hong Kong universities' research and development strengths and their capabilities in technology commercialisation across the Belt and Road region, consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international education hub.
This year's Summit was a huge success, aligning with the five co-operation priorities under the Belt and Road Initiative, namely policy coordination, infrastructural connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bond, while serving as a platform to embark on the new journey for high quality development.
The 11th Belt and Road Summit opened today (September 9). The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, chaired the policy dialogue on "Building Resilient Trade and Investment Frameworks in a Diverse Global Landscape". Photo shows (from left) Mr Yau with the Minister in Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute of Bangladesh, Mr Khandakar Abdul Muktadir; the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Mr Arman Shakkaliyev; the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development of Sri Lanka, Mr Wasantha Samarasinghe; the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste, Mr Filipus Nino Pereira; the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed; and the Vice Minister for Commerce of Thailand, Dr Kirida Bhaopichitr, after the dialogue session. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, attended the 11th Belt and Road Summit today (September 9). Photo shows Mr Lam delivering his welcome remarks at the thematic breakout session "Hong Kong: Super Connector · World-class Springboard - Professional Services Empowering Global Expansion" of the summit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, speaks at the 11th Belt and Road Summit Keynote Luncheon today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (right), meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Mr Saleumxay Kommasith (left), today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (right), meets with the Vice President of Uruguay, Ms Carolina Cosse (left), today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (right), meets with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov (left), at Government House today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the 11th Belt and Road Summit today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the 11th Belt and Road Summit today (September 9). Photo shows Mr Lee (front row, centre); the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov (front row, tenth left); the Vice President of Uruguay, Ms Carolina Cosse (front row, tenth right); Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Mr Saleumxay Kommasith (front row, ninth left); the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Zhou Ji (front row, ninth right); Vice Minister of Commerce Mr Yan Dong (front row, third left); Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council Mr Li Zhen (front row, third right); the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, Mr Cui Jianchun (front row, fourth right); the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (back row, seventh left); the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (back row, seventh right); the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (back row, sixth left); the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing (back row, fourth left); the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong (back row, fourth right); the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan (back row, third left); the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau (back row, third right); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Professor Frederick Ma (front row, eighth left), and other guests at the summit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the 11th Belt and Road Summit today (September 9). Photo shows Mr Chan (second right) and the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov (second left), witnessing the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui (first right), exchanging the Memorandum of Understanding with Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan Mr Abror Mirzo Olimov (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
