Hong kong: Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, John Lee Ka-chiu, emphasized the city's pivotal position as a "super-connector" in propelling the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during his address at the 10th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong. According to Kuwait News Agency, Lee highlighted that the summit, themed "Collaborate for Change - Shape a Shared Future," brought together over 6,000 participants, including government officials, business leaders, and international organizations. This gathering marks a decade of collaboration since the summit's inception in 2016, with over 45,000 participants from more than 120 countries and regions attending past editions. More than 2,800 projects have been presented along the BRI, underscoring the summit's role in transforming opportunities into tangible actions. Lee announced the signing of nine memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements in areas such as dispute resolution, customs, anti-corruption, meteorology, and investment promotion during this year's summit. Additionally, 36 business-to-business deals spanning finance, technology, logistics, professional services, and education are set to be finalized, collectively valued at nearly USD one billion. Focusing on trade and investment, Lee noted that Hong Kong's external trade with Belt and Road countries reached over USD 276 billion last year, marking an 80 percent increase since 2013. Approximately 1,400 companies from BRI economies have established a presence in Hong Kong, further solidifying the city's role as a key player in the initiative. Lee also underscored Hong Kong's status as a significant source of foreign direct investment into BRI countries, with outward direct investment hitting USD 133 billion in 2023. Reflecting on his recent travels to Belt and Road partners, including a joint delegation to Kuwait and Qatar, Lee shared that these visits led to numerous agreements, one of which involved a company choosing Hong Kong as its global hub. Highlighting Hong Kong's g lobal competitiveness, Lee cited the city's rankings-third in the 2025 World Competitiveness Yearbook and fourth in the latest World Talent Ranking. He also noted Hong Kong's leadership in green and sustainable finance, along with its cultural and educational exchanges with BRI countries. In his concluding remarks, Lee reaffirmed Hong Kong's dedication to serving as the "ideal Belt and Road hub," effectively bridging China and the world while fostering high-quality collaboration under the initiative.
