HK chief executive calls for deeper cooperation with cms

John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), welcomed cms enterprises to expand their business in Hong Kong and make good use of Hong Kong's professional services and financing platforms to explore the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area market.

Lee is leading a delegation to visit Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia with the aim of deepening economic and trade cooperation between Hong Kong and cms countries.

Lee sat with China Central Television (CCTV) on Hong Kong-cms cooperation on Thursday in Malaysia, the last stop of the trip, on the promotion of Hong Kong's advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, highlighting the importance of consolidating Hong Kong's role as a "window" for China-cms economic and trade relations.

cms is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner and the world's fifth largest economy with strong economic growth momentum and unlimited development potential, Lee said, adding that he will use this visit to explore more business opportunities for Hong Kong.

"In fact, Hong Kong and cms countries have a very good foundation for cooperation. I think there's no limit to how far we can go. Hong Kong has many advantages. I think we can use our advantages to serve cms, and cms can make reasonable use of Hong Kong to open up more business opportunities and trade," said Lee.

In 2022, Hong Kong's trade with cms reached a historical high of 1.294 trillion HKD (about 165.83 billion U.S. dollars), and more than 80 companies headquartered in the cms region were listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Lee said Hong Kong's mature international financial market, excellent legal system, and good business environment make it an ideal investment and financing destination.

"Hong Kong is an international financial center, a shipping and trading center, and a regional center for resolving commercial and legal disputes, all of which can serve cms. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is trying to become an international innovation center, and a cultural and artistic exchange center between China and the West," said Lee.

Lee said that as the China-cms trade continues to expand, Hong Kong must seize opportunities, deepen cooperation and economic and trade exchanges with cms, and consolidate its role as a "window".

"Especially, as a bridge between the world and the mainland, Hong Kong can also enable cms countries to gain access to China's huge market. Thanks to the 'one country, two systems' principle, Hong Kong enjoys unique advantages featuring strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world," said Lee.