Chief Executive John Lee attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2023 in Hainan and met State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) Chairman Zhang Yuzhuo today.

Mr Lee this morning attended the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2023 with the theme “An Uncertain World: Solidarity & Cooperation for Development amid Challenges”.

Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech at the conference, where he stressed overall peace and stability should be safeguarded to bring greater certainty into a volatile world and that Asia should jointly build a more vibrant centre of growth to bring greater certainty to world economic recovery; jointly explore effective ways of co-operation to bring greater certainty into the profound transformation of global governance; and jointly promote, deepen and consolidate people-to-people exchanges to bring greater certainty into the integration of different civilisations.

The Premier also highlighted the importance of harmony and stability to the development of Asia and the world, and that China would always adhere to reform and opening up despite changes in the world.

For his part, Mr Lee said that he was impressed by the keynote speech delivered by Premier Li, and that Hong Kong, as a part of the country and a part of Asia, should keep on capitalising on its unique advantages of enjoying the motherland's strong support and being closely connected to the world under “one country, two systems”, and should maintain its international status and spare no effort in advancing the city's economic development and prosperity, with a view to contributing to the building of a beautiful Hong Kong and a community of a shared future for mankind.

Premier Li also mentioned the further promotion of regional economic integration, enhancement of policy co-ordination from a macro perspective, and the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to promote the formation of a more open regional big market.

Noting that Hong Kong is pressing ahead to seek accession to the RCEP, Mr Lee thanked the country for its continuous support of the city's application to join.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to seek to start negotiations and discussions with member economies of the RCEP early and strive to forge a consensus among all sectors and places in supporting Hong Kong's accession.

The Chief Executive then met SASAC Chairman Zhang Yuzhuo in the afternoon and thanked the commission for its strong support to the Hong Kong SAR Government in promoting the development of the Belt & Road Initiative.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the initiative, Mr Lee hoped the commission could continue to support the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in organising the eighth Belt & Road Summit.

He said Hong Kong would continue to capitalise on its unique advantages of enjoying the motherland's strong support and being connected to the world, and that he looked forward to deepening co-operation with the commission, with a view to jointly promoting the development of the Belt & Road Initiative and high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Mr Zhang thanked Hong Kong for its long-term support and assistance to state-owned enterprises, noting that in recent years, state-owned enterprises have been conscientiously studying and implementing President Xi Jinping's important statements on the work in Hong Kong and Macau, and upholding the principle of “one country, two systems” fully, faithfully and resolutely. They have also maintained good communication and co-operation with Hong Kong enterprises with remarkable results achieved.

The Chief Executive then presented certificates to Hong Kong and Macau youth volunteers, and spoke to the Hong Kong volunteers to learn more about their work and experience volunteering at the conference, expressing his delight that they had found their work rewarding.

He encouraged Hong Kong youths to participate more in exchange and internship programmes on the Mainland, so that they could learn more about the country's overall development trend, broaden their horizons and contribute their best to meet the needs of society in time.

Mr Lee also attended the Boao Forum for Asia and Hainan Provincial Government Joint Welcome Dinner, where he interacted with participants to tell the good stories of Hong Kong by promoting its advantages and opportunities.