11th Belt and Road Summit Concludes with Over $3.1 Billion in Deals, Showcasing Global Cooperation and New Initiatives

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.

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

FEHD reviews this year's efforts to tackle dripping air conditioners

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (November 10) that the department has continued to adopt a multipronged approach to tackle the problem of dripping air conditioners, combining enhanced inspections and enforcement with publicity and education, innovative technology and adjustments to operational strategies. This year, the FEHD has fully deployed the third-generation Air-conditioning Water Dripping Inspection System, featuring infrared night-vision technology and artificial intelligence (AI) image recognition, across all districts to detect dripping locations quickly and accurately, significantly enhancing enforcement effectiveness.

The spokesman said, "As of September 30, the FEHD had issued about 8 100 nuisance notices concerning dripping air conditioners this year, representing an increase of about 16 per cent and 54 per cent over the corresponding periods last year and in 2024 respectively. The figure was about four times that for the same period in 2023. Over 99 per cent of the households that received the notices have addressed the dripping problem as required. Significant improvements have also been recorded at the locations of concern identified by the department."

In recent years, the FEHD has adopted a new operational strategy. In addition to handling public complaints, officers proactively conduct door-to-door inspections and take enforcement action, focusing on around 300 locations of concern with more serious dripping problems across districts, including bus stops, minibus stops and pedestrian passages. Each location is inspected at least once a week. By August, dripping problems at about half of these locations had been resolved or had shown significant improvement. As conditions improved at some locations, the FEHD extended its operations to more than 110 additional locations with less serious problems. As of September 30, the number of locations being followed up by the FEHD had increased from around 300 to more than 400.

The FEHD has also actively applied innovative technology, collaborating with a local innovation and technology institution to develop the Air-conditioning Water Dripping Inspection System. Using infrared night-vision technology, the system enables officers to detect dripping locations quickly in low-light conditions without entering residents' premises. The enhanced second-generation system features a remote-controlled pan-tilt head and autofocus functions. Its detection range has been extended to 120 metres, enabling it to cover buildings around 40 storeys high. In April this year, the system won a bronze award in thecategory of Engineering and Robotics – Optical Sensing and Spatial Intelligence at the Edison Awards 2026, gaining international recognition for its innovative technology. This year, the department has fully deployed the third-generation system, featuring AI image recognition, across all districts. The system uses high-precision image recognition to detect dripping locations automatically and pinpoint their sources quickly and accurately, further reducing the time required for observation and evidence collection.

In addition to strengthening enforcement, the FEHD actively collaborates with the property management sector to tackle dripping air conditioners. The department continues to promote the Scheme of Participation by Property Management Agents in Tackling Dripping Air-conditioners, inviting staff of property management companies serving private housing estates to help identify dripping sources and advise residents to rectify the problem. More than 300 private housing estates across the territory currently participate in the scheme, helping to complete follow-up and handling of an average of over 4 000 dripping complaints each year. The department also works closely with the Property Management Services Authority to provide relevant guidelines for licensed property management companies and property management personnel, and encourages more licensed companies to join the scheme.

The FEHD calls on all sectors to work together to tackle dripping air conditioners. Property management companies should regularly repair and maintain building drainage systems and remind residents to inspect and repair their air conditioners. Members of the public should also inspect and maintain their air conditioners regularly and address any dripping problems promptly to avoid causing a nuisance. For more information, please refer to the leaflet on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/library/aircon/Pamphlet_water_dripping_from_air_conditioner.pdf).

Source: AI-found images