The seventh Belt & Road Summit opened today with over 6,000 senior government officials and business leaders from more than 80 countries and regions taking part in it.

The participants discussed business and collaboration opportunities associated with the Belt & Road Initiative.

Vice Premier Han Zheng gave a video keynote speech at the opening session this morning.

The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Director Luo Huining attended the opening session.

In his opening address at the meeting, Chief Executive John Lee pointed out that the Belt & Road Initiative is built on collaboration and covers a wide spectrum of connectivity.

He said the initiative has brought about trade and investment co-operation, as well as infrastructure development, unleashing profound potential and opportunities.

The Chief Executive also highlighted the fact that the Hong Kong SAR Government has been partnering with different stakeholders in providing Belt & Road networking opportunities for businesses and professionals.

He explained that as a global city, an international financial and trade centre and the business bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world, Hong Kong is ready to partner with Belt & Road companies and economies by providing essential project financing and professional services support, innovation and technology (I&T), capacity building, cultural awareness, wide-ranging connections and much more.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan gave special remarks at a business plenary session where he emphasised that Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international financial, trading and shipping centre is distinctive and unique.

He also elaborated on the city's role in actively contributing to the initiative in such areas as infrastructure financing, green finance, renminbi business, risk management, as well as advancing environmental, social and governance initiatives in the region.

Additionally, Mr Chan pointed out that because Hong Kong is working to create strong impetus for growth and develop as an international I&T hub, there will be new policies and support measures to attract enterprises and talent.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam gave welcoming remarks at a thematic breakout session and elaborated on how the full-fledged legal and dispute resolution services in Hong Kong can provide strong support for investors and the dispute resolution sectors in navigating new opportunities along the Belt & Road.

While stressing that the city is committed to improving its legal regime continuously to better serve the international community, as well as offering users a buffet of dispute resolution options catering to the diversified needs of different clients from around the world, Mr Lam said Hong Kong will continue to flourish and remain as the prime platform for businesses and practitioners to seize the golden opportunities that lie ahead along the Belt & Road.

In a policy dialogue session, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong shared his insights on nurturing and enhancing partnership and collaboration under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The two-day summit will continue online tomorrow. Four project pitching sessions as well as over 800 one-on-one business-matching meetings will also be held.