China News Service, Hong Kong, October 22. Title: APEC surge in Hong Kong releases triple benefits
China News Service reporter Xiang Luping
The 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers' Meeting concluded on October 21 in Hong Kong, China, and achieved a series of practical results. This is the first time that Hong Kong has hosted the APEC Ministerial Meeting. More than 300 representatives from APEC member economies, APEC observers and relevant international organizations gathered in Hong Kong to discuss cooperation on economic stability and transformation in the Asia-Pacific. APEC's surge in Hong Kong is not only a practical meeting for Hong Kong, but also releases triple benefits.
First, hosting the APEC Ministerial Meeting for the first time is a "historic moment" for Hong Kong. This not only reflects the country's trust and support for Hong Kong, highlights Hong Kong's status as an international financial center, but also reflects the international community's recognition of Hong Kong's unique advantages under "one country, two systems". Hong Kong has mature financial markets, international professional services and extensive global connections. It is an important platform for dialogue between economies in the Asia-Pacific.
By hosting this high-profile conference, the Hong Kong SAR government and relevant industries have improved their organizational coordination, professional services and international exchange capabilities, and accumulated experience for major international events such as the 94th General Assembly of INTERPOL and the 28th General Assembly of the International Olympic Association to be held in Hong Kong.
Secondly, Hong Kong is an international financial, trade and shipping center, and an important bridge connecting China to the Asia-Pacific and even global markets. Hosting the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting will provide Hong Kong with an important window to showcase the "Pearl of the Orient" style to the international community.
During the conference, the Hong Kong SAR government arranged for the delegates to visit the Hong Kong Palace Museum, Hong Kong Science Park, Victoria Peak, and take a boat trip to Victoria Harbour, allowing them to experience Hong Kong's characteristics of the blend of Chinese and Western cultures and the vitality of urban development, providing them with a concrete way to observe China's development and understand Hong Kong's business environment and social outlook. Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, told the media that the feedback from the participants on the tour routes and Hong Kong food was very good.
Third, hosting the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting will create space for Hong Kong to deepen regional cooperation. This Finance Ministers' Meeting is the last professional ministerial meeting before the 33rd APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting to be held in Shenzhen, Guangdong in November this year. Relevant discussions and results will build consensus in the financial field for the Leaders' Informal Meeting.
Hong Kong and Shenzhen are both central cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with complementary advantages and close connections. The finance ministers' meeting held in Hong Kong will help political and business leaders in the Asia-Pacific region to intuitively experience the linkage of the Greater Bay Area in innovation, technology, finance and regional cooperation. Siow Chun Siang, Singapore's Minister of Transport and Second Minister of Finance, who participated in the meeting, revealed on social media that during the meeting, he went to Shenzhen to have dinner with Singaporeans living there. This detail demonstrates the synergy of the increasingly strengthened connectivity and deepening integration and development between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
For Hong Kong, successfully hosting the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting is a new starting point, a stage to showcase its own advantages, and an opportunity to further leverage its advantages in internal and external communication and serve Asia-Pacific cooperation. There is reason to believe that if the practical results achieved at the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting are implemented one by one, the multiple benefits brought by this event will continue to inject new momentum into Hong Kong's development.
