National People's Congress Standing Committee Chairman Zhang Dejiang delivered a keynote speech to more than 2,000 participants at the inaugural Belt & Road Summit this morning, while Chief Executive CY Leung gave the opening remarks.
Mr Leung said the Belt & Road Initiative offers unprecedented opportunities to all territories, and with the combined advantages of "one country" and "two systems" Hong Kong could serve as a "super-connector" between the Mainland and the rest of the world.
He noted that in areas such as finance, investment, professional services, trade, logistics, culture, creativity, innovation and technology, Hong Kong's unique "super-connector" role could bring together the strengths of Belt & Road economies.
Mr Leung pointed out that the National 13th Five-Year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong and Macau leveraging their unique advantages to enhance their roles and functions in the country's economic development and opening up to other countries, including the Belt & Road Initiative.
He added that the Hong Kong SAR Government is setting up a dedicated Belt & Road office which will work closely with the Central Authorities and Belt & Road partners to ensure effective co-ordination of policies and measures, to identify areas of collaboration and to facilitate timely exchange of information for the common good.
Held in the Convention & Exhibition Centre, the summit was organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development & Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce and the People's Bank of China.
It has attracted political leaders, policymakers, representatives from international organisations, business leaders and experts in related trades from all over the world.
