The 11th "Belt and Road" Summit Forum opens in Hong Kong. Li Jiachao uses five sets of data to share the report card

China News Service, Hong Kong, September 9 (Liu Yueqing, Zhang Yuqia) The 11th "Belt and Road" Summit Forum opened at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on the 9th. In his opening speech, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Lee Ka-chiu, used five sets of data to display Hong Kong’s performance in participating in the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative.

First, the merchandise trade volume between Hong Kong and countries co-building the “Belt and Road” last year was approximately US$323 billion, a year-on-year increase of nearly 17%. More than 100 companies from countries jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Second, Hong Kong has currently signed free trade agreements with 14 countries that are co-building the “Belt and Road”, investment agreements with 20 economies that are co-building the “Belt and Road”, and comprehensive double taxation avoidance agreements with 43 “Belt and Road” tax jurisdictions.

Third, Hong Kong’s overseas economic and trade offices, together with the offices of Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, have covered 99 countries and regions co-building the “Belt and Road”; nearly 1,500 companies from countries co-building the “Belt and Road” have set up offices in Hong Kong.

Fourth, since the current SAR government took office, Li Ka-chao has led the Hong Kong SAR business delegation to conduct inspections and explore business opportunities in 13 countries co-building the “Belt and Road”.

Fifth, Hong Kong is committed to cultivating talents for the Belt and Road Initiative. The “Belt and Road Scholarship” launched by the SAR government has funded more than 830 students. This year, approximately 5,000 students from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative are studying in Hong Kong’s public universities.

Li Jiachao said that Hong Kong can become a bridge connecting the economies of the Belt and Road Initiative with mainland China and global markets, forming an interconnected hub network, thereby enhancing regional strength and creating new opportunities.

The 11th "Belt and Road" Summit Forum was co-organized by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, with the theme of "Promoting High-Quality Development and Starting a New Journey Together". More than 6,000 government officials, business leaders, and corporate representatives from more than 70 countries and regions attended the meeting.

At the forum on the 9th, all parties reached a total of 32 cooperation memorandums and agreements, covering fields such as finance, professional services, industry and construction. Forum-related activities will continue until the 10th.